Description:

Pre-Columbian, Olmec, ca. 1200 to 800 BCE. A striking head depicting a figure with empty cavities for eyes, a strong nose and brow line, and a large mouth with a strong upper lip reminiscent of a were-jaguar face. A pair of lengthy ears flank the haunting visage. The material has carving and tooling marks indicating that it may be made from pale green-gray compacted clay with bright red cinnabar pigment remaining in many places; it may also be kaolin ware, as most Olmec pottery is, but with a high degree of artistic skill matched only by their finest pieces. Size: 1.2" W x 1.8" H (3 cm x 4.6 cm); 4.7" H (11.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA; ex-Bart Family collection, New York City and Florida, USA since the 1960s

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#170748

  • Condition: Fragment of a larger piece. In excellent condition; slight, ancient losses to right side of upper lip edge. A few minor nicks in areas. Mineral deposits and oxidation of material.

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August 25, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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