A Chupicuaro Small Face Bowl<br><em>Preclassic Period, ca. 300 - 100 BCE</em>

Chupícuaro is a late Pre-Classic archaeological culture located in west central Mexico. It was a major ceramic center, recognized as one of the best in Mesoamerica, and best known for its bold polychrome ceramics like this polychrome decorated pottery bowl. The example is made of a brown clay, moderately fired and then burnished. It features a face, the nose, and mouth in raised relief on the rim and is surrounded by a polychrome geometric motif.Exhibited: Marjorie Barrick Museum, University of Nevada, Los Vegas during the 1980s.Condition: Scattered areas of mineral deposits on the surface, the bowl is intact and in excellent condition overall. A nice example.Dimensions: Height: 3 inches (7.5 cm), Width: 6 1/2 inches (16.5cm) Provenance: Dr. David Harner private collection, Arkansas, 1950s-1960s, collection #M155, thereafter private Nevada collection, exhibited at the Marjorie Barrick Museum, University of Nevada, Los Vegas (that houses a substantial collection of objects from Pre-Colu