Stempot Aztec-Oaxaca 1200 AD

Physical Description:

• Height: Approx. 8 inches
• Width (widest point): Approx. 7 inches
• Neck height: 2 inches
• Opening diameter: 1.5 inches
• Weight: ~2 lbs
• Material: Terracotta or unglazed earthenware with mineral deposits and surface oxidation
• Condition: Excellent for an item purportedly 800+ years old; minor surface weathering, consistent with age and burial/exposure

Cultural and Historical Context:

This vessel is described as originating from the Aztec or Oaxaca region, dated around 1200 A.D. This date places it in the Postclassic period of Mesoamerican civilization—a time of rising complexity and trade between regional powers.

• Aztec Pottery: While the Aztec Empire fully emerged around the 14th century, earlier cultures like the Toltecs and Mixtecs were active in Central Mexico during the 12th century.
• Oaxaca Region: Home to the Zapotecs and Mixtecs, who were known for highly refined ceramics with utilitarian and ritual uses. "Stem pots" like this could have held liquid (water, fermented beverages, or ceremonial liquids) or be associated with funerary or domestic storage use.

Authentication Notes:

• The heavy mineral encrustation and surface wear suggest significant age.
• The form and weathering are consistent with pre-Columbian ceramic production from central and southern Mexico.
• However, items of this antiquity are frequently replicated—especially for the tourist and collector market during the early to mid-20th century. Without thermoluminescence testing, it is difficult to confirm age definitively.

Preliminary Value Estimate:

If authentic, your piece could be valued between $1,500 and $4,000 USD in the retail collector market, or more depending on provenance and institutional interest.
If determined to be a well-made reproduction, its value would be closer to $100–$300 USD.

Recommendations:

1. Professional Authentication:
   Consider sending the vessel to a professional appraiser or institution offering thermoluminescence dating (e.g., The Smithsonian, The Getty, or commercial services like Oxford Authentication Ltd).
2. Insurance Coverage:
   If confirmed to be authentic, yes—insuring it would be advisable. Document its condition, ownership history, and photos.
3. Museum Worthiness:
   Authentic Mesoamerican artifacts of this era are of interest to academic collections and museums, particularly if tied to family history and acquired before cultural patrimony laws of the mid-20th century. Provenance will be key.

Summary:

Your "Stempot" labeled as Aztec–Oaxaca, 1200 A.D., appears to be either a genuine artifact or a high-quality historical reproduction. It is culturally significant and worth authenticating. The condition is remarkable, and if genuine, it could command serious interest from collectors, museums, or academic institutions.