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THBBeautiful Aztec Basalt Face Mask of Youthful Male
Lot 204
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$11,000 - $16,500
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Mar 24, 2022
Set Reminder
2022-03-24 10:00:00
2022-03-24 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-9057
Museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Viking, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Viking, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (416)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Valley of Mexico, near present-day Mexico City, Aztec, Post Classic Period, ca. 1350 to 1521 CE. A captivating mask, hand-carved from dark basalt exhibiting mottled green, brown, beige, and gray hues, depicting the face of a young man with an awe-struck, trance-like expression. The vizard presents with deep ovoid eyes that are slightly offset, an evenly sloped nasal bridge with drilled, flared nostrils, parted lips that reveal his row of upper teeth, slightly sunken cheeks near the tear ducts, and a puffy brow that curves backwards to form the minimalist coiffure. Each highly stylized ear protrudes from behind his temples, each with a drilled earlobe that perhaps displayed additional jewelry or ornamentation at one time. Note how this mask does not possess eye holes to see through; this is common with ritual masks meant to represent a living person. An entrancing example of intricate Aztec lapidary portraiture! Size: 2.8" L x 6.2" W x 5.75" H (7.1 cm x 15.7 cm x 14.6 cm); 8.3" H (21.1 cm) on included custom stand.
The Spaniards wrote of the Aztecs believing that stone quarried to be carved had magical properties and was alive, able to speak and prophecy. Aztec stone sculpture is a culmination of centuries of stone carving in Mesoamerica, and, using fragile volcanic stone, they were able to create remarkably detailed artworks. The Aztec were heavily influenced by Teotihuacan culture, and much of their art is inspired by these predecessors. Indeed, the Aztec excavated the Teotihuacan city and reused and embellished many of the objects they discovered. The Aztecs regarded the city of Teotihuacan as a mythical site where the gods once assembled.
Cf. a similar face attached to a female body at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 00.5.16
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: ex-private Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA collection; ex-B.G. Malone collection, Texas, USA, acquired in Mexico between 1963 to 1969 and brought into the USA prior to 1970
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.
#168668Small ancient loss to lower portion of proper left earlobe as shown, with minor abrasions (probably a modern shovel or hoe) behind corresponding ear, otherwise in excellent condition. Very small nicks to face, brow, head, and ears, with pitting across most surfaces commensurate with age, and light encrustations. Wonderful earthen and mineral deposits and great preservation to finer details throughout. Small area of adhesive residue from old inventory label on verso.Condition
- Shipping Info
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All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
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