Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Teotihuacan, ca. 200 to 600 CE. A wonderful pottery mask presenting a naturalistic visage of slender, heavy-lidded eyes, a low nasal bridge leading to a pointed nose with broad nostrils, and fleshy lips held slightly parted. A protruding brim caps the visage, which is enveloped in lovely remains of creamy beige pigment. Masks like this example typically come from incense burners or adorned effigy bundles containing cremated remains. A prominent Teotihuacan burial custom, mortuary bundles may have served as oracles through which revered ancestors imparted knowledge to their living descendants, the mask being the conduit between the deceased and the living. Size: 4.6" W x 3.7" H (11.7 cm x 9.4 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection; ex-estate of Nancy R. and Myron L. Mayer, New York, New York, USA; ex-Mathias Komor, New York

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#170487

  • Condition: Fragment of a larger piece. Some chipping to periphery. A few nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent. Mathias Komor label with number "M772" on verso.

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April 14, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000