Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Olmec culture, ca. 10th to 6th century BCE. A dramatic terracotta figure of a seated human baby, posed with legs akimbo and the ends of the arms resting on chubby thighs. The child has no visible sex, and has a round belly and paunchy chest. The baby's pudgy feet complete the body. The head and face are fantastic - with narrow eyes that appear to stare upward at the viewer, a small, wide nose, and a large open mouth with a few upper teeth and well-delineated lips. The ears are lifelike, with carved piercings. The forehead is elongated and flattened above the brow. The top of the head features incised motifs that seem to replicate tattoos, body paint, or another deliberate motif. These flow around to the back of the head, where two wide, concentric rectangles are broadly incised. Size: 11.5" W x 12" H (29.2 cm x 30.5 cm)
The Olmec are famous for their human depictions; as the first major civilization in this fertile area, their artwork inspired the civilizations that came after them to the point that we think some of them even revered Olmec artwork and kept it as heirlooms. Figures of this style are known as "baby face", with plump bodies and chubby, pouty facial features. Infants are a recurring theme from Olmec art, and this one would likely have once been white-slipped like other known examples. The shape of their heads - like this one - have been attributed to deliberate skull shaping.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private lifetime collection of Dr. Saul Tuttman and Dr. Gregory Siskind, New York, New York, USA, 1980s
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#153099
Condition
One leg has been reattached and restored. Otherwise in great condition with light surface wear (chips, nicks, and scratches) commensurate with age. Light deposits on surface, notably on underside. Old collection number and old collection sticker are also on the underside. TL drill holes on underside.