Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Oaxaca, Zapotec culture, Monte Alban III, ca. 600 to 800 CE. A mold-made ceramic incensario in the form of a seated god, Cocijo (also Cociyo, literally translated as "lightning" in the Zapotec language), the god of rain and lightning, wearing an elaborate face mask headdress with scrawling curvilinear details and a radiating plume. The deity is adorned with enormous ear spools, a broad collar with shoulder ornamentation and a massive pectoral. The deity is seated, legs crossed, with hands resting on his knees. Cocijo's power is symbolized in his physiognomy. The forked tongue within his mouth denotes his dominion over lightning, and various elements of his headdress and garb denotes his authority over the sky and weather. Faint traces of original red pigmentation are visible across the face, body, and headdress of this wonderful example. Size: 6.625" W x 9.375" H (16.8 cm x 23.8 cm).
Monte Alban, a city inhabited for over 1,000 years before abandonment centuries before the arrival of the Spanish, was a regional power that dominated much of the modern-day state of Oaxaca and interacted with other Mesoamerican city-states like Teotihuacan to its north. Many cultures at this time were producing ceremonial incensarios (censers) like this example, but those in particular from Monte Alban were often so anthropomorphized that, from the front, they are difficult to tell from sculpture. This is in strong contrast to incensarios at Teotihuacan, which were highly abstract. Figural censers have been excavated from Monte Alban's high-status tombs, where it seems they were placed to leave offerings for the dead.
Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s
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#142355
Condition
Repaired from multiple large pieces with small losses and chips, light resurfacing, and light adhesive residue along some break lines. Minor nicks and chips to headdress, head, body, limbs, and base, with light encrustations and abrasions, and fading to original pigmentation. Nice earthen deposits and traces of original pigmentation throughout.