Description:

Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast region of Mexico, northern Veracruz, Huastec culture, ca. 900 to 1450 CE. A hand-built and highly burnished female 'Venus' figure, so-called because of her voluptuous feminine form believed to increase fertility and virility. She sits upon curved legs with thick thighs, supports her breasts with both hands above a portly abdomen, and presents incised grooves along her arms. Her head bears a stylized visage composed of impressed ovoid eyes, a wide nose, full lips, and a strong mandible, with pierced discoid earspools adorning her ears beneath a smooth cap. Traces of original orange and red pigment are visible across the composition and suggest this figure was at one time painted with bright colors. A great example from ancient Mexico! Size: 2.2" W x 3.5" H (5.6 cm x 8.9 cm).

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Ron Messick Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Earl Stendahl collection, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#148256

  • Condition: Head reassembled from a few large pieces and reattached to neck, with resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Light encrustations within some recessed areas, and fading to original pigmentation. Light earthen deposits and nice smooth surface texture throughout.

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August 6, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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