Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz, Remojadas, ca. 600 to 900 CE. A remarkable terracotta sonriente (smiling face) of sizable form depicting a standing child with arms extended outward. The charming child stares upwards through heavy-lidded, almond-shaped eyes above a pointed nose, open bowed lips displaying top and bottom teeth, and a pointed chin. Its oblong face is flanked by two intricately formed realistic ears, each bearing drill holes for suspending fine ornaments. The adorable child stands upright with legs spread, wearing only a rectangular headdress with a raised square at its center and a petite embellishment at its top. Size: 4.75" W x 11.5" H (12.1 cm x 29.2 cm); 11.625" H (29.5 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 Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private T. Misenhimer collection, Beverly Hills, California, USA, collected from 1970 to 2008
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#161485
Condition
Three-quarters of both arms missing. Repaired from several pieces with adhesive barely visible Otherwise, very nice with light earthen and manganese deposits throughout.