Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz, Remojadas, ca. 600 to 900 CE. A delightful terracotta sonriente (smiling face) of sizable form depicting a standing child with arms extended outward and upward to his sides. The child stares forward through slender almond shaped eyes above a pointed nose, open lips displaying a row of top teeth, and a cleft chin. The oblong face is flanked by two intricately formed realistic ears, each bearing large circular earplugs. The figure is dressed elegantly; a small loin cloth of geometric motif hangs below the child's bulging belly while a lovely band of a symmetrical geometric pattern stretches across the concave chest. A collar/necklace with spherical beads adorns his neck below a voluminous headdress embellished with a gorgeous spiral design of incised lines. The surface is covered with a red slip. Size: 8.5" W x 14.75" H (21.6 cm x 37.5 cm); 15.5" H (39.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Sonrientes or "smiling faces" are the most famous pottery figures from this period in Veracruz (known as Remojadas for its keystone archaeological site). Like this one, they depict wide, smiling, childlike faces, often with teeth showing. Smiling faces are very rare in Mesoamerican art, but in Remojadas and the surrounding area, these Sonrientes were apparently popular, leading to a mystery for archaeologists. Some have suggested that the smiles are the result of consuming the alcoholic beverage pulque, or taking hallucinogenic drugs; others see them as representing performers.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection;ex-Stephenson collection, Greenwich, Conneticut, USA, 1978; ex-Faustus Galleries, London, -1978
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#162141
Condition
Left leg reattached, break lines are nearly indiscernible. Losses to object in left hand and lower lip of mouth. Abrasions to high-pointed areas. Small perforation on back and between legs. Stable hairline fissure along neck. Great preservation of details.