A collection of Central American burial mount pottery, etc ... Detroit, Mich. October 15, 1886.

NOTE.

I am prepared to offer limited selections of the Pottery and Stone objects described in the accompanying circular in exchange for other desirable articles for my personal cabinet.

FREDERICK STEARNS, DETROIT, MICH., U. S. A.

May 15, 1886.

A COLLECTION OF Central American Burial Mound Pottery, Etc.

The collection contains over 650 objects, in pottery, carved stone and fragments taken from the old Indian graves of Guatuzo, about three leagues from Cartago, Costa Rica, Central America (objects in stone and earthenware about one hundred in number), and from the place called “Turrialba” about 46 objects in pottery and stone—the work of Indian tribes of that region, which people became extinct between two and three hundred years ago. In addition there are are nearly three hundred pieces of earthenware and stone from the graves of “Nicoya” and “El Sardinal,” situated along the shore of the Pacific in Costa Rica. The tribes occupying this region early in the sixteenth century bore the name of “Diria,” and are long extinct. This pottery and these stone objects are only found in graves. The authenticity and genuineness of this collection is vouched for by official documents of the Costa Rica Government, signed by the collector under seal and oath, and attested by sixteen official signatures, including that of the United States Consul.

In this collection, while there are certain general or typical forms, after which many are moulded, yet there are NO TWO PIECES THE EXACT SIZE AND FORM. The MATERIAL of the pottery is clay, more or less mixed with sand; the color from yellow to deep red; the workmanship varies from very coarse and frail pieces to those of fine and graceful form, polish and decoration. The DECORATIONS on some of the pieces are merely incised lines, on others elaborate figures are painted in black and red, on others ornaments in relief of clay are applied. The forms of the vessels vary from shallow saucer- shape to more or less globular or flattened globular. With some the necks are narrow and bottle- like, in others they are wide, flanged and flared; some are without feet or support of any kind, while others stand on feet which are generally the shape of some animal head and often hollow, and some contain a clay rattle.

This collection will be divided and sold in portions as may be wanted.

A collection of Central American burial mount pottery, etc ... Detroit, Mich. October 15, 1886. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ rbpe.08401200 A photograph, unmounted (8×10 inches), of characteristic specimens will be sent on receipt [OVER] of fifty cents. The numbers on the photograph correspond with the bracketed numbers appended to the paragraphs below. The scale of the photograph is about one to seven linear.

The following is a general description of the lot, with prices for each: (1). 93 pieces Terra Cotta cr Pottery Jars, some yellow, some bright red, some dark, almost black, nearly globular, no two alike, some plain, many decorated with figures and ornaments in relief, necks mostly narrow with flaring lips, without feet. One of these vessels is nearly 14 inches in diameter by 12 inches high (with fragments gone from one side). Many are quite perfect, while many are more or less fragmentary. A few are slightly broken, not enough to detract from the general form, while a few are in fragments of some size and can be mended. Price—$1, $2, $3, $5, $15.

(2). 10 pieces ring-shaped Terra Cotta supports (?) for dishes. Price—$1.50.

12 pieces bowl-shaped vessels on ring feet. Price—$1.50 to $2.

(3). 7 jars, peculiar, flattened globular form, without feet. Price—$1.50 to $2.

(4). 13 jars or vases, tall, globular vessels, with elongated wide necks, standing on feet (most of these are imperfect). Price—$2 to $4.

(5). 62 pieces, cooking pot-shape pottery vessels, mostly with flaring lip, standing on three feet, which feet are generally hollow; many decorated with applied ornaments of clay, others with incised lines, and some with painted figures. Price—$1.50 to $4.

1 large, deep pottery dish, 14 inches in diameter by 5 inches high, richly painted inside and out; formerly stood on three feet, which are missing, and with a fragment missing from one lip. Price— $25.

(6) 1 bowl, 6½ inches in diameter by 3 inches high, richly painted inside and out, and in perfect condition; highly glaxed or polished. Price—$10.

(7) 6 small pieces pottery on feet, with covers; coarse, unglazed, but curious forms. Price—$3.

4 pieces, pottery, saucer-shape; shallow. Price—$1.

(8). 9 pieces, pottery, ladies or spoons. Price—$1.

A collection of Central American burial mount pottery, etc ... Detroit, Mich. October 15, 1886. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ rbpe.08401200 (9). 46 pieces, bowl-shaped, with feet and with lips mostly turned inwards. Price—$1.50 to $3.

(10). 23 pieces, flat, globular, narrow neck. $1 to $2.50.

(10). 22 pieces, bowl-shaped, without feet. Price—$1 to $2.50.

(11). 1 pear-shaped jar, with hole in side of neck. Price— $4.

3 oval, shallow, scoop-formed pieces. Price—$1.

(12). 20 pieces, each of peculiar form, and each unlike any of the typical forms. Price—$3 to $5.

(13). 52 pieces, which formed the handles or feet of large vessels. These have the forms of heads of beasts, birds or idols, some of them being hollow and containing a rattle. Price—$1 to $1.50.

(14). 108 fragments of large vessels or dishes, finely decorated in paint or glaze in red or black; a few of them with incised lines. Price—Two to three pieces for from 25 to 50 cents.

(15). 5 pieces, pottery whistles, in form of birds and other animals. Price—$2 to $3.

(16). 4 large pieces, pottery which formed (?) the handles or feet of large dishes. They are modeled after grotesque human forms. Price—$2 to $3.

A number of fragments and a few forms not easily described.

THE FOLLOWING PIECES ARE CARVED FROM GRAY-COLORED STONE (Trachyte?): (17). 3 human heads or idols complete, about 5 inches high by 3 inches in diameter, with carved, curious head-dresses. Price—$5.

(18). 1 ditto each, head of serpent and head of reptile. Price—$3 to $4.

(19). 1 ditto, sitting human figure. Price—$5.

(25). 4 ditto, singular forms. Price—$3 to $4.

(20). 1 perforated ring or whorl, knobbed on circumference (perhaps a “Macuna” or club head, with points such as is found in Peru). Price—$7.

A collection of Central American burial mount pottery, etc ... Detroit, Mich. October 15, 1886. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ rbpe.08401200 6 small pestles or hammer stones. Price—$1.

Several pieces Volcanic Tufa, curious forms. Price—$1 to $5.

(21). 3 flat dishes or altars, Trachyte (may be small “Matatas,” modeled after the Puma, with back spread out and hollowed, the head and tail serving for handles. Price—$10.

1 ditto, similar, except without handles. Price—$3.

(22). 1 large animal head, 11 inches long 7 inches wide) 5 inches high; carefully carved; may be once forming handle or ornament to an altar or building (?). Price—$25.

(23). 2 Matatas (or stools). on feet, with carved incised decorations. Price—$30.

3 ditto, without decoration, smaller Price—$15.

1 large dish, standing on 3 feet, oblong square; 12 inches wide by 25 inches long, 7 inches high (broken once in two in transit, but can be easily mended without loss of substance). Price—$35.

The following miscellaneous articles are included in the collection: 1 parcel each, red and black, earth paint, used for decorating; one large piece magnesia-like white paint, used for decoration. Specimens of each for 50 cents.

1 necklace, 46 stone beads, polished Greenstone. Price—$7.

4 lots of pebbles, quartz, jasper, etc., together 79 pieces, highly polished; found in Indian graves, and probably used for polishing pottery. Price—10 cents each.

(24) 12 polished stone celts. Price—$1 to $1.50.

1 ditto, (fragment) serpentine. Price—$1.

1 ditto, unpolished chipped flint. Price—$1.50.

1 long oval, round, pottery rattle; has been broken, but neatly mended. Price—$3.

FREDERICK STEARNS & CO., DETROIT, MICH., U. S. A.

A collection of Central American burial mount pottery, etc ... Detroit, Mich. October 15, 1886. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ rbpe.08401200 October, 15, 1886. 84/12

A collection of Central American burial mount pottery, etc ... Detroit, Mich. October 15, 1886. http://www.loc.gov/resource/ rbpe.08401200