Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Aztec, ca. 1300 to 1500 CE. A remarkable sculpture, hand-carved on all sides from volcaniclastic stone having a faint reddish-pink tint, a well-documented type of stone known to have been used by the ancient Aztecs for authentic examples like this one depicting a female figure wearing a only a skirt and an elaborate headdress with a mortar upon her head. The figure faces forward standing upright with hands at her sides, supporting the massive headdress with a mortar atop that is intricately decorated with stylized geometric motifs, both incised and in low relief, upon her head. Her visage presents characteristically abstract features including concave, almond-shaped eyes, a long protruding nose, and parted, bas-relief lips. On the verso, the sculptor detailed her coiffure as a series of staggered stylized rectangular forms as well as the backsides of her headdress and mortar. We know this piece was intended to be free standing rather than serve as a columnar support, as it is also carved on the sides. What's more, the surface shows marks from the pecking method used by the sculptor to bring this piece of stone to life. Aztec stone sculpture is relatively rare to come available in private collections. A unique example replete with strong Aztec styling demonstrated via its rigid stance and angularity, the type of aesthetic that would inspire early modern Art Deco enthusiasts hundreds of years later. Size: 6.25" W x 15.5" H (15.9 cm x 39.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Peter Arnovick Collection

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