Pre-Columbian, Northwest Mexico, Chihuahua, Casas Grandes, Ramos, ca. 1250 to 1450 CE. An evocative, janiform pottery jar showcasing 2 relief faces in black, beige, and gray pigments atop an orange slip ground. Sitting upon a round yet stable base, the dish displays a bulbous body, a curved shoulder, and a folded rim. The stylized visages feature ovoid eyes, pinched noses, and slightly open mouths, all crowns by a spikey coiffure and separated by spiraling, steppe motifs. Similar designs adorn the areas below the chin of each face and 4 drill holes perforate the area near the rim, allowing the vessel to be suspended. Size: 7.1" Diameter x 5.8" H (18 cm x 14.7 cm)The Janus-faced vessel derives from the concept of a dual or literally 'two-faced' personality. The word Janus comes to us from the Roman god, Janus, the god of doorways and gateways who came to represent both the future and the past; he was also the god of January. The Casas Grandes (or Chihuahua) culture has always been the best known of the prehistoric cultures of northwest Mexico. International awareness of the culture first derived from its polychrome pottery and from the massive ruins of the culture's principal center, Casas Grandes - now better known as Paquime. Located in the present Mexican state of Chihuahua, Casas Grandes was an intelligently planned urban center that grew wealthy thanks to commodities such as copper, shells, turquoise, and tropical bird feathers. Provenance: private S.S. collection, Los Angeles, California, USA All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #172829