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THBStriking Veracruz Pottery Torso of Old Man, TL Tested
Lot 157
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:
$4,000 - $6,000
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| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $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 3, 2022
Set Reminder
2022-02-03 10:00:00
2022-02-03 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : VARIETY SALE | Ancient, Asian, Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/variety-sale-ancient-asian-ethnographic-8833
Join us for our first sale of February with a spotlight on two fabulous collections, one from Lumberton, Texas, and the other from Whisnant Gallery in New Orleans. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Join us for our first sale of February with a spotlight on two fabulous collections, one from Lumberton, Texas, and the other from Whisnant Gallery in New Orleans. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (340)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz culture, ca. 900 to 1000 CE. An incredible sculptural representation of an old man, with amazing details of the facial features and body. The man seems to have once been seated, with one arm hanging down his side and the other raised to rest against his chest. The fingers are wonderfully detailed, and the elbow joint looks naturalistic. The figure wears a simple loincloth and a necklace that has large rectangular components that hang from its back. The man would have once had a large, elaborate headdress, but it is now missing aside from a flat, wide brim and what looks like a conical horn projecting from one side. Size: 8.05" L x 8.7" W x 14.95" H (20.4 cm x 22.1 cm x 38 cm)
The face is the truly beautiful part of the figure: exquisitely sculpted, with a gaunt appearance, and deep lines at his cheeks, nose, and forehead. His eyes are sunken underneath a heavy brow; his cheeks are also sunken, his nose and mouth pronounced, his lips parted as if he is about to speak. His eyes are deep set and sculpted so that he appears to be looking to one side. He has large ears, with holes through the lobes, perhaps because the figure once wore earrings made of some other material.
Excavations near the town of Remojadas have revealed two types of impressive, detailed pottery figures: the Sonrientes, the joyous "smiling faces" depicting people of all ages and sexes, and figures like this one, more serious, mostly adult figures, with elaborate costumes, themes, and sometimes props that all seem to point towards religious or political ceremonies. These figures are often found with the bodies smashed into pieces and the heads largely intact - they were ritually destroyed as burial offerings. But who was this old man? The identity of Veracruz terracotta figures is unknown, but an old man is a repeated motif in Mexican art from this time period, perhaps referencing one of the Old Gods known from the Mayan pantheon. Then again, he may just be an older member of the local community.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available for $50 to the buyer. Please contact us to request.
Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, acquired before 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.
#123033The piece is missing components of the headdress, the centerpiece of its necklace, one arm, and both legs. What remains has been repaired from two large pieces, but the repair is well done and unobtrusive. Manganese deposits over the body's surface. The face is in excellent condition. TL drill holes beneath base and inside of head.Condition
- Shipping Info
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