Huge Guerrero Mezcala Stone Axe God w/ Stoetzer Report

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Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Oct 8, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-10-08 10:00:00 2020-10-08 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-5796
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal,Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, Guerrero, Mexico, ca. 300 to 100 BCE. One of the largest of the type we have had the pleasure of offering. An abstract Mezcala cutlre standing anthropomorphic figure of a massive size, hand-carved from dark green stone with beige and grey inclusions. The type M-14 figure exhibits deep clefts delineating the legs, diagonal arms in relief atop the smooth chest, and deep biconical wells form the arms beneath angular shoulders. Atop the narrow neck rests an oversized head bearing bar-shaped eyebrows, a diamond-shaped mouth and a tall brow that tapers to a thick ridge and angular furrows to delineate the cheeks. Ancient Mezcala artisans were adept at reducing the human form down to minimal, elegant shapes via the meticulous string-sawing technique, and this sizable statue exemplifies their penchant for beauty in simplicity. Size: 5.5" W x 15.75" H (14 cm x 40 cm); 16.375" H (41.6 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  According to Carlo Gay, M-14 figures have spaces between their legs and arms "in an ongoing attempt to achieve a viable human image in stone." This example has a space between the legs as well as spaces between the arms. According to Gay and Pratt, ". . . there are comparatively few recorded M-14 figures - accounting for only 5 percent of the total number of representations of the human form . . ." Gay and Pratt also discuss an intriguing connection between M-14 figures and Mezcala architectural models created in the mountainous region of Guerrero between 300 to 100 BCE - "the space between the arms and the body being technically identical to the space between the posts of the models . . ." (Carlo Gay and Frances Pratt, "Mezcala: Ancient Stone Sculpture from Guerrero Mexico", New York: Balsas Publications, 1992, p. 67) For several examples of Type M-14 figures, please see: Gay, Carlo and Frances Pratt. "Mezcala: Ancient Stone Sculpture from Guerrero Mexico." Balsas Publications, New York, 1992, pp. 66-71, figs. 7a & b, plates 54-57.
  
  This piece will come with an extensive examination report from Stoetzer, Inc. Fine Art Services that confirms its authenticity.
  
  Provenance: Private Collection, Los Angeles, Collected in the 1960's; ex-Ian Arundel collection, California, USA, the Old Curiosity Cabinet, Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, USA, collected 1950-1970
  
  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.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #159732

  Condition

  Loss to upper proper right to head with triangular section reattached. Loss to outside of left proper leg. Light staining and surface deposits throughout.
• Shipping Info

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