Posted 7 years ago
Southerner…
(23 items)
Hello Community,
So this one is a total mystery to me. I grabbed this when I saw it at an Estate Sale Lot that came into Habitat for Humanity here in Palm Springs, CA. At first I thought I kind of knew what I had but got home and realized the words on this "Folk Art Grotesque Face Jug" were not actually words at all that I could find in any language so far. I've tried Native American, English, and Spanish. The shape of the jug which is also somewhat of a mystery to me allows it to stand upright with ought an actual fly bottom surface. Even the very base has a slightly rounded curve.
The "y"'s Are all backwards in the lettering and the words are..
ELCHUPA
CAVYELA
ESUNOMVYE
It appears some may be purposely capitalized but hard to tell.
The jug measures approx a foot tall and a foot at its widest point.
Made from a heavy Clay or Terra-cotta.
No other marks I can find.
ANYONE have a clue?
Thanks!
El Chupacabra?
https://www.chupamacabre.com/chupacabras/legend-el-chupacabra/
Agree with Mary... If you break it up and spell it a little differently - EL CHUPA CABRA ES UNO MUYE - translates from Spanish to "The chupacabra (goatsucker) is one of a kind."
The vessel itself looks like some black burnished ware, but I don't know if the inscription was scratched in later. If the inscription is the same date as the pot, it would have to be after contact... but the pot itself looks similar to some pre-contact pots. That being said, there are modern reproductions made to look aged. I would suggest taking it to a local college or museum and finding an archaeologist or curator.
Thanks so much for the insight. I agree with you that it does look and feel like an ancient black ware figural Olla. Now that you mention it, the inscription does look as though it could have been made much later that the pot. Would that seriously reduce the value if so?
I will take your advice and get this to someone who can date it for me.
Thanks so much for the leads. I now at least have a direction to pursue.