Lot 57A
Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Las Bocas, Olmec, ca. 800 to 300 BCE. A delightful ceramic vessel in the form of an endearing duck. The duck sits upon its petite feet, which are incised to delineate their webbing and emerge below the waterfowl's ample chest. The duck's head faces forward with large impressed eyes with delineated pupils and a pointed, slightly open beak. The wings protrude along the sides of the avian body in relief. While nicely modeled and incised with details, the body of the vessel is generally quite smooth and lustrous with wonderful burnishing marks. Size: 3.75" W x 4.6" H (9.5 cm x 11.7 cm)
Las Bocas-style Olmec figures are named after an archaeological site in the modern Mexican state of Puebla, although most of the figures are from the surrounding area and not actually from the site itself. The style has come to be associated with the classic Olmec "baby face" figures. However, ducks were also apparently particularly special to the Olmec, and were often featured in their ceramic artwork. Perhaps this was because ducks are comfortable on land, in the air, as well as in the water - and thus were believed to have the ability to traverse the major worlds of Mesoamerican cosmogony.
Provenance: private Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA collection; ex-Minerva Gallery; ex-Benjamin Vega, California, USA, acquired in 2006 to 2007; ex-Gene and Virginia George, brought to the USA from 1961 to 1966
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#154929
- Condition: Repaired from multiple pieces, with light restoration along base, and resurfacing with overpainting along new material and break lines. Abrasions and minor nicks to base, body, and head, with light fading to original pigmentation, and minor encrustations. Light remains of original pigment throughout.
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