Casas Grandes Fish Form Vessel

Pre Columbian Casas Grandes (Paquime) pottery vessel in the form of a fish. Bulbous body with a petit face at one end and a bifurcated tail at the other. Surmounted by a raised rim, the body of the aquatic animal is enveloped in creamy beige hued slip adorned by red and black painted zigzag patterns reminiscent of pectoral fins. Black painted visage is comprised of target motif eyes, incised nostrils and an open mouth. The rim has been pierced with four drill holes, allowing the vessel to be suspended. Some light restoration to rim, fin and mouth, all done very well and difficult to notice. Light surface wear as expected with age, but otherwise intact and in excellent condition with impressive preservation of painted decoration. Ex. Anderson. 10.8"L x 7.5"W x 5.9"H Casas Grandes (Spanish for “Great Houses” also known as Paquime) is a prehistoric archaeological site in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. Casas Grandes is one of the largest and most complex Mogollon culture sites in the region. Settlement began after 1130 CE and would see the larger buildings developed into multi-storied dwellings after 1350 CE. The community was abandoned approximately 1450 CE. Casas Grandes is regarded as one of the most significant Mogollon archaeological zones in the northwestern Mexico region, linking it to other sites in Arizona and New Mexico, and exhibiting the expanse of the Mogollon sphere of influence.