Description:

Pre-Columbian, south-central Mexico and Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1400 to 400 BCE. A hollow pottery seated Olmec Baby figure, posed with legs akimbo and one hand at the waist, the other resting on the thigh. The figure has a paunchy body and a wide belly button. The head is simply-rendered, with twin holes drilled at the ear and neck, perhaps once containing rings, feathers, or some other decoration. The figure has a large head of hair and the face has remains of red pigment. Size: 4.9" L x 7" W x 9.65" H (12.4 cm x 17.8 cm x 24.5 cm)

The Olmec are famous for their human depictions; as the first major civilization in this fertile area, their artwork inspired the civilizations that came after them to the point that we think some of them even revered Olmec artwork and kept it as heirlooms. Figures of this style are known as "baby face", with plump bodies and chubby, pouty facial features. Infants are a recurring theme from Olmec art, and this one would likely have once been white-slipped to match other known examples. The shape of their heads - like this one - have been attributed to deliberate skull shaping.

Provenance: Ex-Harvey Collection, acquired prior to 1972

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.

#119773

  • Condition: Head has been reattached; front of head has a chip; one foot is lost.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 15, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
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