Lot 55A
Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz culture, ca. 500 to 700 CE. A marvelous and massive pottery sculpture of a female dancer depicted nude from the waist up with spiked hair that has been blackened by bitumen pigment, while holding a mirror in one hand. Posed evocatively, the female stands upon broad feet and holds both arms outward, gently bending each at the elbow, and opening her palms to the heavens. A slender necklace falls between her conical breasts as the bottom half of her flattened body is covered by an ankle-length skirt tied at the hip with 2 sizeable bows. Her stylized countenance displays an expression of amazement with thin brows above wide-open, ovoid eyes, a curved nose with a low nasal bridge, and a huge, open mouth, all crowned by a thick headband and flanked by naturalistic ears fit with huge, target-motif earspools. Size: 20.8" W x 20" H (52.8 cm x 50.8 cm)
The large scale, hand-modeled figures from Veracruz are known as Remojadas, from the region in Mexico where they are found. They are usually portrayed with their arms up and most are female, as with this figure. They are made in parts, with the head added to the body using further clay that is smoothed over the neckline. Excavations revealed two types of impressive, detailed pottery figures from the Veracruz area: the Sonrientes, the joyous "smiling faces," and figures like this one, more serious, mostly adult figures, with elaborate costumes, themes, and sometimes props that all seem to point towards religious or political ceremonies. These figures are often found with the bodies smashed into pieces and the heads largely intact - they were ritually destroyed as burial offerings. Their clothing suggests that they depict people of import in society, maybe priests or nobility.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, before 2010; ex-private T. Misenhimer collection, Beverly Hills, California, USA, collected from 1970-2008
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#173837
- Condition: Professionally repaired and restored with repainting or overpainting in areas. Losses to top of headdress. Minor chipping to fingers, mirror edge, ears, and earspools, and some nicks in areas. Minimal surface wear, as shown. Otherwise, excellent with great remaining pigments.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $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 |