Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Guerrero State, Xochipala culture, Mesoamerican Formative Period, ca. 13th to 10th century BCE; West Mexico, Tlatilco or Michoacan, ca. 1200 to 500 BCE; Central Mexico, Teotihuacan, ca. 4th to 7th century CE. A wonderful collection of 5 pottery heads: an avianesque figure from Xochipala culture, a stylized head from Tlatilco or Michoacan culture, and 3 from Teotihuacan culture - 1 of Tlaloc and 2 figures with elaborate headdresses. Size of largest (Xochipala): 2.3" W x 3" H (5.8 cm x 7.6 cm); of custom case: 11.75" W x 7.25" H (29.8 cm x 18.4 cm)

A receipt on the verso of the case from William Niven Antiques claims that these heads were found by the archeologist William Niven (1850-1937) in San Miguel Amantla near Azcapotzalco, Mexico. William Niven was a Scottish mineralogist and archeologist noted for his discovery of the minerals yttrialite, thorogummite, aguilarite and nivenite (named after him), as well as his archaeological work in Guerrero, Mexico where, among of other work, he purchased the first rediscovered Xochipala-style figurine. Due to the Mexican Revolution of 1910, however, he was forced to move to the Valley of Mexico.

Provenance: private Burbank, California, USA collection, acquired in 1955

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#179186

  • Condition: Set in modern Riker display case with fabric backing and suspension hooks on verso for display; have not been examined outside of case. All are fragments of larger pieces with chipping to peripheries, as well as nicks and abrasions commensurate with age. Liberal remaining detail and light earthen deposits to surface. Old receipt from William Niven on verso of case.

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August 11, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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