Description:

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, ca. 200BCE-200CE. The complex societies of the Ameca Valley created dynamic, refined sculptures intended as offerings in tombs. This seated male figure displays individualized, portrait-like features, despite the Ameca type elongated head, that reveal a sense of his emotional state. Looking into the distance with open eyes and mouth in a composed seated position, both hands on his raised knees, he appears to be suspended in a state of introspection. This individualAEs high stature and ritualistic activity is indicated by his body adornment. Note the headdress made of a finely stitched textile, the elongated widened earlobes most likely indicating the wearing of ear spools, and the red pigment indicating body art, perhaps tattooing. The fact that the face is half red and half white may indicate the dualism of life and death in Pre-Columbian cultures. While some physiognomic details are naturalistic, the Ameca style is particularly intriguing for the contrasting modern abstraction of the tubular limbs, wide torso, and elongated head. 13" tall x 10"W x 8"D Provenance: Ex-Santa Monica Collection. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids, papered by our parent company, Artemis Gallery Ancient Art. The starting price is the lowest price at which the lot can sell.

  • Condition: Intact, a few pressure cracks as shown, excellent condition.

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October 11, 2013 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000