Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Tropical lowlands near Veracruz, San Lorenzo site, Olmec culture, Nacaste phase, ca. 900 to 700 BCE. An important, rare, and exceptional pottery head effigy. The visage is distinct and possibly a portrait. The remarkable sculpture is thick-walled and made of a heavy clay, typical of Lowland Olmec material. The cap or crest is zoomorphic in appearance and is perhaps the head of a creature which holds the human image as it rests on its legs. The creature's arms are visible underneath the ear flanges. Nubbin hands grasp the portrait face which in turn is the belly of the zoomorph. The similarly modeled feet are seen underneath the head. The zoomorph seems to be part insect, part bird, and part mammal. Size: 4.75" W x 6.5" H (12.1 cm x 16.5 cm)
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 St. Petersburg, Florida USA collection; ex-private southern California, USA collection; ex-Xanadu Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA; ex-Lewis K. Land collection, between 1960s to 1970s.
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#157678
Condition
Fine condition; broken and professionally restored in several areas along the crack lines. Some new material on facial features (i.e., part of upper lip, along left side of nose, lower right chin area) but not a significant amount. Excellent manganese dioxide and mineral and soil deposits overall.