Provenance Information

Unknown prior to gift by Dr. Sze.

Exhibition Information

Linking Asia exhibition, Denver Art Museum, 12/17/2017 – 4/1/2018; Asian Galleries, Denver Art Museum, 10/2022 - Present

Publication Information

Jiao, Tianlong. Caruso, Laura ed. Linking Asia: Art, Trade, and Devotion. Denver Art Museum. 2017:176.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

At the time of this gift the DAM held very few pieces of this period and style, and significant examples are rare. Questions arose about the stela's authenticity, so it entered the DAM's collection as a non-accessioned piece. Now accessioned into the DAM's permanent collection, it is hoped further research will offer more information.

Provenance Information

Purchased in 1972 by J. Joseph Marr from Romulo Berrocal, "La Huaca" in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Exhibition Information

None known prior to acquisition by DAM.

Publication Information

None known prior to acquisition by DAM.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

This bowl was acquired by the donor in Costa Rica only two years after 1970, at a time when archaeological materials were freely available for purchase. The Denver Art Museum holds the finest and most comprehensive collection of pre-Columbian art from Costa Rica in the United States, and has served as an invaluable resource for scholars for decades. The acquisition of this small bowl expands the collection's representation of forms and decorative schemes, and makes this object accessible to scholars.

Provenance Information

In the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Morris A. Long of Colorado since the 1980's.

Exhibition Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Publication Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

The Denver Art Museum's encyclopedic pre-Columbian collection includes several Paracas ceramics, but only a few Paracas textiles. This tradition is especially well known for beautifully colored, elaborately embroidered sets of garments, often decorated with images of supernatural beings. Most Paracas textiles entered the market in the first half of the twentieth century, but this specific object cannot be documented before the 1980's. Its acquisition by the Denver Art Museum will help the public appreciate the artistic and technical mastery of the ancient Andean weaving tradition.

Provenance Information

In the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Morris A. Long of Colorado since the 1980's.

Exhibition Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Publication Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

The Denver Art Museum's encyclopedic pre-Columbian collection includes several dozen examples of Nasca ceramics, including early pieces with incised decorations, and later slip-painted specimens. Holdings of Nasca textiles are limited, however, making it difficult to provide the public with a complete picture of the Nasca artistic production. Andean textiles are regarded as one of the world's greatest weaving traditions. This unusually constructed bag, with typical Nasca coloration, will help the public appreciate the artistic and technical mastery of this tradition.

Provenance Information

In the collection of Mary C. Lanius of Denver, Colorado since the 1970's.

Exhibition Information

None know prior to DAM acquisition.

Publication Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

The site of Tlatilco in central Mexico was discovered by brickmakers mining clay in the 1930's. Its extensive burial grounds were excavated from the 1940's until the 1960's. Thousands of figurines (probably including this example) were uncovered during this period. Its acquisition by the Denver Art Museum facilitates public appreciation and education, and makes this object accessible to scholars for research.

Provenance Information

In the collection of Mary C. Lanius of Denver, Colorado since the 1970's.

Exhibition Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Publication Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Looting of archaeological sites in western Mexico was already under way in the late 19th century, and continued throughout the first half of the 20th century. West Mexican ceramic figures and figurines were widely collected from the 1940's through the 1970's. This figurine expands the range of form and subject matter that can be displayed by the Denver Art Museum. Its acquisition by a public institution facilitates public appreciation of Mexico's pre-Columbian heritage, and makes this object accessible to scholars.

Provenance Information

In the collection of Mary C. Lanius of Denver, Colorado, since the 1970's.

Exhibition Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Publication Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Looting of archaeological sites in western Mexico was already under way in the late 19th century, and continued throughout the first half of the 20th century. West Mexican ceramic figures and figurines were widely collected from the 1940's through the 1970's. This whistle figurine expands the range of form and subject matter that can be displayed by the Denver Art Museum. Its acquisition by a public institution facilitates public appreciation of Mexico's pre-Columbian heritage, and makes this object accessible to scholars.

Provenance Information

Inherited by donor from Richard Levine in 2007; acquired by Levine from Steve Berger of San Francisco in 1992 or 1993.

Exhibition Information

The Andean Tunic, 400 BCE-1800CE. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 8-Sept. 18, 2011.

Publication Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

The kings of Chimor ruled much of Peru's ancient north coast desert region. Nobles were entombed with precious metalwork, blackware ceramics, and lavishly decorated garments. This exceptionally well preserved garment has an openwork tapestry structure, decorated with numerous tassels. Constructed in a workshop setting by a team of skilled artisans, it reveals important information on Chimu weaving techniques and production methods. Its acquisition by the Denver Art Museum allows the public to understand the great value attached to textiles by ancient Andean peoples, and the technical and artistic mastery they achieved. It also makes this work available to scholars for research.

Provenance Information

Purchased from Throckmorton Fine Art, Inc. of New York; acquired around 1980 from Galerie Deletaille of Brussels, Belgium.

Exhibition Information

None known prior to acquisition.

Publication Information

None known prior to acquisition.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

This ceramic was outside its likely country of origin (Colombia) by around 1980; no further provenance information is available. A memorandum of understanding restricting importation of Colombian archaeological materials into the United States did not go into effect until 2006. The vessel has an unusual shape and exceptionally finely rendered surface decoration. Its acquisition by the Denver Art Museum facilitates research by scholars, as well as public enjoyment and understanding of Colombia's pre-Columbian heritage.

Provenance Information

Purchased from Throckmorton Fine Art, Inc. of New York; acquired around 1980 from Galerie Deletaille of Brussels, Belgium.

Exhibition Information

None known prior to acquisition.

Publication Information

None known prior to acquisition.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

This ceramic was outside its likely country of origin (Colombia) by around 1980. No further provenance information is available. A memorandum of understanding prohibiting importation of Colombian archaeological materials into the United States did no go into effect until 2006. The vessel has an unusual shape and and exceptionally finely executed surface decoration. Its acquisition by the Denver Art Museum facilitates research by scholars, as well as public appreciation of Colombia's pre-Columbian cultural heritage.