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THBNear Miniature Olmec Green Stone Mask
Lot 154
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
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$3,000 - $6,000
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| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
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| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Feb 6, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-02-06 10:00:00
2019-02-06 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Ancient | Ethnographic | Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-fine-art-3848
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (389)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 1000 to 400 BCE. An exquisite maskette carved from a beautiful blue-green stone by a sculptor of the Olmec culture, the oldest major civilization in Mexico. The piece is expertly worked with graceful, subtle contours and displays signature Olmec traits including jowly cheeks, a naturalistic nose, a downturned jaguar mouth, a rounded chin, puffy eyelids, and slanted eyes. The misshapen, elongated head was a sign of high status most likely due to the Olmec tradition of cranial deformation. Bilaterally perforated at the forehead and chin for suspension or attachment. A fabulous example in which the blending of both lifelike relatively naturalistic and contrasting abstract representation is simply mesmerizing. In addition to the highly symbolic form (see discussion below), the inherent beauty of the stone itself, with an attractive display of mottled green hues in varying tones, is wonderful. Size: 2.375" H (6 cm)
To the Olmecs, masks and maskettes like this example carried many meanings, not all of which are obvious to us today; however, scholars surmise that the color green was associated with vibrant growth, renewal, and given the cyclical conception of life and death, rejuvenation after death. In addition, notice that the fleshy, bilaterally symmetrical lips are slightly open so as to reveal the toothless gums of a youthful person, and there is a raised cleft. According to scholars, this was the Olmec symbol for corn or maize, which was a crop of such sublime significance to ancient Mexico that it took on religious import from a very early date. A remarkable example, impressive for the artisan's adept carving technique, an indisputable penchant for refined artistry, the inherent beauty of this stone, and the meaningful iconography of the form.
Provenance: private Pasadena, California, USA collection
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.
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#141292Chips/loss to upper back section of head. Otherwise excellent with scattered deposits. Bilaterally perforated at the forehead and chin for suspension or attachment.Condition
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