Description:

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Jalisco, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A fascinating ceramic sculpture, showing a group of six human figures, hands linked, standing around a double-headed serpent or avian figure atop a round platform. The figures have characteristic "sheepface" features such as coffee-bean-shaped eyes, pointed ears with round earspools, thin mouths, long noses, and tall foreheads. Ceramic scenes like this one are some of the only remains that we have today of a sophisticated and unique culture in West Mexico - they left no above-ground monuments or sculptures, at least that we know of, which is in strong contrast to developments elsewhere in ancient Mesoamerica. Instead, their tombs were their lasting works of art: skeletons arrayed radially with their feet positioned inward, and terracotta offerings, like this enigmatic sculpture, placed alongside the walls facing inward, near the skulls. Size: 6.05" W x 4.1" H (15.4 cm x 10.4 cm)

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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.

#140934

  • Condition: Repaired from several large pieces, with each of the figures reattached. These repairs are well done and generally unobtrusive.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

December 6, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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