Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chavin, Tembladera phase, ca. 1000 to 400 BCE. A miniature, hand-carved anthropomorphic stone idol of a man wearing a simple loincloth. The figure's legs are bent and curved inwards, indicative of being seated, while his arms are held tightly against his narrow torso, his hands held together in a classic praying position. Ovoid eyes, a rhombus-shaped nose, rectangular ears, and a wide mouth comprise the anguished visage, with wrinkle marks on the cheeks and forehead perhaps denoting the advanced age of the figure. A biconically-drilled suspension hole in the middle of the verso suggests this was at one time worn as an amulet or as part of a larger beaded accessory. A rare and beautiful example from ancient Peru! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.375" H (3.5 cm); 3.125" H (7.9 cm) on included custom stand.
The Chavin people lived in the northern Highland Andes, and their capital, Chavin de Huantar, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The artwork of Chavin represents the first widespread artistic style in the Andes. The center of Chavin de Huantar is a massive, flat-topped pyramid, surrounded by lower platforms. Between 1200 and 500 BCE the pyramid space was used for religious ceremonies. The Old Temple, constructed very early in the history of the site, consists of a series of passageways built around a circular courtyard; within were carved stone monuments showing jaguars, serpents, and other figures with transformative and/or anthropomorphic details.
Provenance: private, Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Ferdinand Anton -a famous Pre-Columbian art expert and author- collection, Germany
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#131963
Condition
Surface wear commensurate with age, some fading to carved details, with light roughness to verso, otherwise intact and excellent. Nice earthen deposits within recessed areas. Old inventory number "5130" written on verso in black.