Lot 92B
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Guerrero, Mezcala, ca. 500 to 200 BCE. A striking serpentine maskette featuring a heavy brow lined by 2 deeply incised, horizontal bands indicative of a headdress, a triangular nose, full lips, and a tapered chin. Boasting a natural hue of forest green with lustrous black inclusions, the square visage is framed by a pair of long ears, as well as 4 biconically drilled holes that pierce the earlobes and headdress. The symmetry of the eyes and mouth are particularly pleasing; all of these features are classic Mezcala, who are famous for their greenstone masks. Mezcala and the vast city state of Teotihuacan influenced each other, and masks seem to have been a major part of their artistic output. The mask would have been carved using string cutting and the surface abraded using sandstone to make it smoother. Size: 4" L x 2.4" W x 4.9" H (10.2 cm x 6.1 cm x 12.4 cm)
Greenstone was more valuable than gold in Mesoamerica, and this would have been a valuable item, perhaps buried with its owner, an important person, to mark their passing and give them identity in the grave. Outside the grave, the dead were sometimes represented in art merely by a mask, or a mask set upon a small pyramid. Masks from this place and period are on display in many museums, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museo de America in Madrid, and the University of Pennsylvania Museum.
Provenance: private Boise, Idaho, USA collection, acquired from Downs Fine Art, Lexington, Kentucky, USA in 2024; ex-Rodrigues collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA, from the 1970s
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.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#191181
- Condition: Some minor nicks, scratches, and abrasions commensurate with age, but otherwise, intact and very nice with good remaining detail and light earthen deposits in areas.
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 up to 27.5% 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 |