Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, late Olmec to Proto Maya culture, ca. 600 to 300 BCE. A fine, hand-built pottery sculpture of a seated figure riding the head of a zoomorph. Depicted with legs propped up at the knees as he straddles a dragon-like head, the fascinating figure displays a slender torso, short limbs, square shoulders, and a huge head. He gazes forward from large, almond-shaped eyes above a petite nose, an open mouth, and drilled ears, all topped by a helmet-like headdress with a circular adornment at the front. The ferocious reptile presents a pointed snout with incised nostrils and mouth agape, as the rider holds a pair of long sticks angled towards the beast's head. Size: 1.6" W x 2.5" H (4.1 cm x 6.4 cm)
Provenance: ex-Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA collection; ex-private Midwest, USA collection, 1960s
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.
#168317
Condition
Light, ancient loss to tip of nose. Some minor nicks and abrasions. Otherwise, excellent with light mineral deposits in areas.