Pre-Columbian Pot?
14 July 2025
Description

After my dad passed away in 2011, I found this pot in a box on his closet shelf. He never showed it to me or even mentioned it my entire life. I showed it to a museum curator and she said she didn’t think it was native American. Her guess was that it’s south of the border: Mexican and Pre-Columbian. The shape, paint source, surface finish, and design set are not Southwestern Pueblo (north of the border, that is). She would further guess that it is regionally Western Mexico (Jalisco or Colima) and age could be between Classic to Post-Classic period (anywhere between 600 to 1000AD). She said the black speckles on the surface are called dendrites and are evidence of age.They take forever to form and it’s one of the identifying factors for authenticity (it can’t be faked). There are what appear to be ashes on the inside.

Dimensions

The pot is about 6.5 inches tall, with a diameter of about 10.25 inches at its largest point. It weighs about 3.5 pounds.

Acquired from
Inherited
For sale
Yes
Answered within 3 days
By David U.
Jul 17, 17:16 UTC
Fair Market Value
$1,000 - $1,800 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Hello, this item is a terracotta vessel believed to be of Pre-Columbian origin, possibly from the Classic to Post-Classic period (circa 600–1000 AD) and likely from the Western Mexican regions of Jalisco or Colima. The form, featuring a globular body with a short neck and incised decorative bands, aligns with ceramic traditions linked to the shaft tomb cultures of Western Mexico. The black speckling visible on the surface, identified as dendritic mineral deposits, is a reliable indicator of archaeological age, as these formations occur over centuries in burial or subterranean environments. The size and weight, around 6.5 inches tall and 3.5 pounds, are consistent with utilitarian or ceremonial vessels from the region.

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