Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Guerrero state, Mezcala culture, ca. 1000 to 400 BCE. An abstract anthropomorphic figure, finely carved and string cut from a smooth, lustrous stone of pale grey and golden yellow hues. The figure stands with characteristically stylized features such as an extremely tapered head with flanged ears, a jutting v-shaped forehead, suggested slanted eyes below, a slit mouth, a wide torso, and attenuated limbs. The ancient artisans of this region were particularly adept at reducing the human body to simple, eloquent forms via this string cut technique. The result ironically appeals to a modernist taste for minimalism. Mezcala sculptural works are equally appealing for the inherent beauty of the stone selected by the ancients. This example is skillfully-carved and full of character indicative of typical high-quality Mezcala sculptures! Size: 3.875" H (9.8 cm); 4.125" H (10.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-collection of the late Peter Arnovick, San Francisco, California, USA

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#135926

  • Condition: Losses to one ear and feet. Chip to one side of perforation through upper section of the head. Back of head shows divots, but probably just gouge marks created by the artisan. Old inventory labels attached to back.

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August 16, 2018 7:00 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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000