Description:

Pre-Columbian, Guerrero, Mexico, Late Preclassic, ca. 300-100 BCE. Anthropomorphic axe god of the M-14 or M-24 figural variant, carved from a green mottled stone with distinctive openwork, space between the arms and the bodies, which is relatively rare for Mezcala figures and represents a conceptual and technical advancement in the ongoing attempt to achieve a more naturalistic human image in stone. Facial features of this M-14 type vary from abstract to somewhat naturalistic, and the tops of heads are characteristically left unfinished as we see in this example. This said, the ovoid shape of the eye sockets, smoother nose, smiling mouth, drilled eyes and nostrils as well as definition of fingers of hands held over the abdomen are more characteristic of even more advanced forms of the M-24 variant. Perforations at ears and nose for suspension of ornaments. In 2006, Sotheby's featured a Mezcala stone figure with openwork similar to this piece with an estimate $20,000 to $30,000. Just under 7"H (17.75 cm) x 2-5/8"W (6.5 cm) x 1-1/2" (4 cm). Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 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. #102486

  • Condition: Chip on back of head, seems like old break or natural contour of stone.

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March 19, 2015 8:00 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