Lot 119
Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, Preclassic period, ca. 1000 BCE. A large pottery head from a larger sculpture, with an expressive visage often described as an Olmec "baby" figure, with rounded, jowly cheeks. The mouth is slightly open and the lips downturned, revealing teeth, and the mouth leads into the hollow head. The slitted eyes are impressed, and the cranium is bulbous (a sign of high status most likely representing the practice of artificial cranial shaping) with a large brow and tuft of hair. The ears contain spool ornaments could have been strung with additional attachments made from textile or feathers. A vent hole is centered on the verso, and the surface is slipped in a creamy beige hue. Size: 4" L x 3" W x 5.75" H (10.2 cm x 7.6 cm x 14.6 cm); 10" H (25.4 cm) on included custom stand.
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 "Olmec babies," with plump bodies and chubby, pouty facial features. Infants are a recurring theme from Olmec art, and this one would likely have once been fully white-slipped to match other known examples. The shape of their heads - like this one - have been attributed to deliberate practice of skull shaping!
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report will accompany the item upon purchase.?
Provenance: ex-Material Culture Auction, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Auction 220, September 28, 2023; ex-Robert and Marianne Huber collection
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#183580
- Condition: Fragment from a larger statue as shown. Professionally repaired and restored. Repairs are well done and nearly indiscernible from exterior, break lines visible on interior. Infill and overpainting along break lines. Nice root marks on the surface. Tl hole on the neck rim, and second Tl hole on the interior of vent hole.
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