This is the best description of this vessel I can get off the Internet. As you can see it has been broken and repaired, but all the parts were there. Very beautiful piece of art. I obtained it in an estate Auction So I don't know the history of it.
This item is most likely a Pre-Columbian tripod pottery vessel from Mesoamerica, likely originating from the Greater Chiriquí region of Panama or Costa Rica. It dates to approximately 1000–1500 AD.
Description and Origin
Culture: The vessel's form and decoration are characteristic of Pre-Columbian cultures from the Intermediate Area (Costa Rica and Panama), such as the Chiriquí or Huetares peoples.
Form: It features a globular body set upon three hollow, conical tripod legs that likely contain rattles, a common feature in this region.
Decoration: The vessel is adorned with intricate incised geometric patterns and modeled appliqués of stylized animal or mythical creature heads on its shoulders, which were a fusion of local artistry and symbolism.
Material and Technique: The piece is made of earthenware (pottery), handcrafted without the use of a potter's wheel, and shows the typical wear and mineral deposits associated with centuries of burial.
Usage
This type of vessel was likely a significant item, potentially used for cooking over a fire due to its tripod design, or more commonly as a funerary or ritual offering. The quality of the work suggests it may have belonged to a person of wealth or status.