Maya Stucco Head of a Lord

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Museum-Deaccession | Asian & Pre-Columbian

By Artemis Gallery

Aug 10, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-08-10 12:00:00 2021-08-10 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Museum-Deaccession | Asian & Pre-Columbian https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/museum-deaccession-asian-pre-columbian-7316
An interesting mix of de-accessioned Asian and Pre-Columbian Art from The Ashland University Museum in Ashland, OH, originally donated between 1994 to 1998. All lots from the Museum have been noted, as such. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A larger-than-life stucco head of a dignitary, portrayed here with projecting lips parted open as if in mid-speech, a sharp, down-turned nose with a high nasal ridge, and bulging, heavy-lidded eyes. His eccentric visage is topped by a lively plumed headdress featuring seven undulating feathers, extending outwards in every direction and creating a starburst-like crown. Below it is a segmented headband of four target-like designs. The vivacity of his countenance is enhanced by the vivid orange-red hue embellishing his facial features. Size: 11" W x 14.25" H (27.9 cm x 36.2 cm); 17.5" H (44.4 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  This figure's plumed head, collared neck, and sky-like motifs indicates that he may be Quetzalcoatl ("Feathered Serpent" in the Nahuatl language), the Pre-Columbian deity revered as lord of wind and sky who the Maya called Kukulkan. The earliest representations of Quetzalcoatl adorn the Temple of Quetzalcoatl in Teotihuacan, Mexico (ca. 3rd century CE) where numerous stone heads of the divine plumed snake embellish the steps of this Pre-Classic pyramid. The pioneering artist/anthropologist Miguel Covarrubias whose writings and illustrations on indigenous cultures of the ancient Americas continue to contribute to scholarly studies today stated, "Quetzalcoatl stood for all that was good in this world: peace, art, wisdom, and prosperity. Disguised as an ant, he discovered maize, the staple food of the Indians, hidden under the mountain of Substance, Tonacatepetl; he also invented the arts, the sciences, and the calendar. In fact, everything connected with wisdom and culture was attributed to Quetzalcoatl." (Miguel Covarrubias, Mexico South: The Isthmus of Tehuantepec (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946), 130.
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Alan Stone collection, New York City, New York, USA, 1950 to 2000
  
  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.
  
  #161413

  Condition

  Fragment of a larger piece. Some repair to proper right cheek, tip of nose, and ends of feathers, with possible restoration in areas. Expected surface wear as shown. Otherwise, very nice with excellent earthen deposits throughout.
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