Might anyone know who might have made this big, ancient pot? Color is dark red and buff.

[4ternlane]

Pot is 13" high x 11" wide. Has extensive restoration on its top half. This piece's exact origin has stumped the experts at a top auction house in MA, tho they agree it's Pre-Columbian or Native American. Thank you.

[sonomabarn67]

It's been a few years but it looks like Southwestern US  prehistoric.

[4ternlane]

Yes, thanks. Just trying to get more specific than that.

[maxine*j · Accepted solution]

Christie's has a very good Pre-Columbian Art Department.  Submit this for a free auction estimate, and see what they say.  The worst that can happen is that you are told that it doesn't meet their minimum and that's it, and no further info or ado.  But if they're interested, you'll be told more and you should seriously consider putting it in their hands, if you wish to sell it.  They are always courteous and easy to deal with, in any event.

Go here:

https://www.christies.com/selling-services/auction-services/auction-estimates/overview/

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[donsdetour]

will agree with what you have been told: I dont normally do so from a photo: looks good.

Who and when I do not know.

Photo of the design on the side please....

[4ternlane]

Thanks, great idea.

[4ternlane]

It's the same pattern as opposite side.

[sonomabarn67]

Then try Hohokam or red on buff which is Southwestern prehistoric NA.. Sometimes its more fun to toss a few breadcrumbs and we all share in the excitement of the outcome.

[sonomabarn67]

Another great idea is that it's pre-historic Southwest. Have you looked there?

[maxine*j]

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@sonomabarn67 wrote:

Another great idea is that it's pre-historic Southwest. Have you looked there?

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Remember that huge sting operation 13 or 14 years ago, in Utah, when the feds busted 20 or 25 people and recovered thousands of pieces of pre-historic artifacts illegally removed from public and tribal lands?  I remember there were a couple of suicides connected with those events, too;  evidently, rich collectors with hidden rooms full of archaeological loot didn't care for the bright light shone on them. 

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[sonomabarn67]

Yes, in the day there were actually many busts like that. Some warranted and some entrapment.  Some gangs actually used bulldozers and destroyed valuable  historical sites in their plundering.

[sonomabarn67]

And,some tribal members were not innocent lambs in all this. 🤣

[maxine*j]

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@sonomabarn67 wrote:

And,some tribal members were not innocent lambs in all this. 🤣

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True.   In the big bust I was thinking of and referring to, I remember that there was not a single Native American involved and that was one of the things that made it memorable.

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[sonomabarn67]

Yes, they let the Anglos do their bidding for them 😎

[sonomabarn67]

This is so cool I (have stumped the experts at a top auction house in MA). Do I get ebay Bucks or a helpful or what?