Lot 84
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Guerrero, ca. 500 to 200 BCE. A large stone stela, carved in relief to depict a fantastical anthropomorphic figure. He stands with one foot turned outward, the other facing forward, giving him a dynamic, dancing appearance. His large phallus hangs down between his legs. His arms are crossed over his chest, with his fingers splayed wide on his shoulders. The face is skull-like or possibly a mask made to look like a were-jaguar, and is large relative to the rest of the body, with a necklace and matching earrings composed of round, spool-shaped items. Atop his head is a carved headdress that looks like a spray of feathers. Size: 15.75" W x 38" H (40 cm x 96.5 cm)
Guerrero and nearby ancient Mesoamerican cities had large public areas decorated with stone carvings like this example; these were left unpainted, in contrast to the brightly colorful murals of Teotihuacan. A stela like this one would have been carved and placed within the public space of the city that corresponded to its meaning, like by a temple or in a section of a city square dedicated to religious practice. Who is the mysterious figure represented - a shaman, caught in the act of transforming into a beast? A ruler or a god? The figure's identity is unknown; however, it certainly conjures many possible layers of meaning.
Provenance: collection of the late Alfred E. Stendahl, Stendahl Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA
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#126389
- Condition: Wear on surface commensurate with age, including deposits and encrustation as shown. Lower part of the stela is lost, but the carved area remains. Motif is mainly clear, with nice details in many areas.
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