Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz, Remojadas, ca. 600 to 900 CE. A playful pottery sonriente (smiling face) exhibiting a heart-shaped visage with a raised brow, a pair of narrowed almond-shaped eyes, a broad nose, prominent cheeks, and a bowed lip smile, with parted lips exposing teeth, as though mid-laugh. This jovial child wears a square headdress that flares at the top and is incised with three decorative motifs, one centered and the other two on each side. Two sizable ring-shaped ear ornaments flank this lovely face, one hanging from each intricately molded ear. Size: 6.25" W x 6" H (15.9 cm x 15.2 cm); 7.5" H (19 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 Naples, Florida collection, bequeathed 2017;ex-estate of Dr. W.M. Bogdanowicz, Naples, Florida, USA, before 2000
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#160727
Condition
Fragment of larger piece. Mouth and chin area have been repaired from several pieces. Expected surface wear, as shown. Otherwise, very nice with earthen deposits throughout interior.