Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico, Guerrero region, Teotihuacan culture, Chontal-Teotihuacan phase, ca. 300 BCE to 100 CE. A beautiful and characteristically abstract anthropomorphic figure that is hand-carved from mottled forest-green stone with chocolate brown, cream, citrine, and beige inclusions. The figure presents with a tapered body bearing attenuated, string-cut legs, a slight belly bulge, and arms held firmly against the sides. The shoulders are hunched up to create a broad, recessed neckline beneath the protruding chin. The enlarged countenance boasts horizontal grooves that compose the eyes and mouth, a rounded triangular nose, dramatically tapered cheeks, and tab-shaped ears, all beneath a tiered hat with a wide brim that rests low along the brow line. Size: 2.9" W x 6.75" H (7.4 cm x 17.1 cm)
Teotihuacan was at one time the largest city in the Pre-Columbian world, famous for its pyramids (Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon) as well as the Great Compound with the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (aka Temple of the Plumed Serpent) punctuating the Avenue of the Dead. Stone figures like this example are perhaps the best-known works of Teotihuacan art. Examples like this figure from Teotihuacan often have idealized features (rather than individual depictions) and calm expressions, with simple lines used economically in order to create powerful effigies without an overuse of detail.
Provenance: ex-private Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA collection; ex-private Texas, USA collection, prior to 1970
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#164031
Condition
Repair to proper right corner of headdress on verso, with chipping and light adhesive residue along break lines. Small losses to proper left corner of headdress as shown. Minor nicks to feet, body, head, and headdress. Nice earthen deposits and surface smoothness throughout.