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THBFine Olmec Stone Standing Were-Jaguar Figure
Lot 140b
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
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$3,000 - $4,500
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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, Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 900 to 500 BCE. A magnificent Olmec figurine expertly carved from beautiful deep black stone that demonstrates superb technique, fine-tuned to create the characteristic were-jaguar face. This statuette stands upright and nude, his legs delineated and long arms hanging to his sides from broad, slightly hunched shoulders. String cut grooves create the V-shaped abdominal area, and chest pectoral muscles. The elongated head juts forward and stands out for its expressive face, due to the wide-open eyes with a pair of deeper drilled cavities under arched brows, a broad nose with flared nostrils, also deeply drilled over large down turned lips that seem to snarl. There are also perforations through the ears for suspension of ornaments. Scholars have proposed that misshapen heads as we see in this example are indicative of the artificial cranial deformation practiced by the Olmec peoples. Size: 5.25" L x 1.75" W (13.3 cm x 4.4 cm); 5.5" H (14 cm) on included custom stand.
To the Olmecs, figurines like this example carried many meanings, not all of which are obvious to us today; but the portrayal of human and feline features, indicates a transformative state, and likely represents a shaman or a divine ruler going into a supernatural state. The supernatural or divine qualities were also perhaps enhanced with inlaid glimmering shell or stones in the drilled eyes to add a lifelike quality to the visage. Jaguar imagery symbolized power and might throughout the Pre-Columbian world; hence, warriors, rulers, hunters, and shamans alike associated themselves with this king of beasts, the largest and most powerful feline in the New World. Jaguars were also believed to travel between the watery realms of the Underworld and the earthly Aboveworld, and shamans could gain this power to travel between supernatural regions by transforming into these animals.
For a similar example please see the Dallas Museum of Art's website, object number: 1973.25.
Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection, acquired April 19, 2020; ex-AriMeca Gallery, New York City, New York, USA
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.
#170660Left arm reattached near shoulder, faint hair line fissure visible. Chip on the right shoulder, but the rest is intact and excellent with sharp facial details and earthen deposits in recessed areas.Condition
- Shipping Info
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