Pre-Columbian Condorhuasi-Alamito Stone Shaman Mask

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Exceptional Ancient, Ethnographic, & Fine Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Mar 9, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-03-09 10:00:00 2023-03-09 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Ancient, Ethnographic, & Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-ancient-ethnographic-fine-art-12354
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• Lot Description
  **First Time At Auction**
  
  Northwest Argentina, Early Period, Condorhuasi-Alamito culture, ca. 200 BCE to 500 CE. A haunting, life-size, anthropomorphic mask, hand-sculpted from a heavy, gray, volcanic stone. The mask is dominated by a pronounced brow ridge that nearly appears as the line of a helmet-like coiffure or headdress and then extends to a raised nasal bridge and a rectangular nose. Annular drilled holes represent the eyes and mouth, granting the vizard a minimalist yet awe-stricken countenance. The verso is gently concave, while a pair of circular perforations pierce the sides of the mask for attachment. Size: 7.3" W x 9.8" H (18.5 cm x 24.9 cm); 11.5" H (29.2 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  This culture is from the Hualfin Valley in the Catamarca province of Argentina, although it seems to have had cultural influence or at least trading connections both north and south. The landscape was semi-arid and high altitude, similar to that of the American Southwest. The people of the region were llama pastoralists who created artwork in ceramic, metal, and stone, often with repeated themes - for example, masks made of lapis lazuli and copper have been found that look nearly identical in form to this one. Masks like this one were deposited into graves that were buried in the patios or inside the rooms of small houses in villages or, in some areas of the Hualfin Valley, segregated cemeteries. They seem to represent idealized images of the deceased.
  
  Please note: it is very difficult to decipher between Mapuche and Alamito masks, since Alamito (400 BCE - 700 CE) was an earlier variant of Mapuche (1200-1700 CE). This mask is more consistent with Alamito; however, the Mapuche did continue this tradition. Given this, we believe it to be an Alamito/ Mapuche transitional example, ca. 700 to 1500 CE.
  
  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.
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010
  
  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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  #177499

  Condition

  Some light surface wear, but otherwise intact and excellently preserved.
• Shipping Info

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