Lot 149
Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 1000 to 400 BCE. A highly stylized and hand built pottery figure of a baby seated with her arms and legs outstretched. The thick limbs and torso are certainly reminiscent as 'baby fat' with an openwork navel that leads into the hollow figure, and a vent hole on the posterior. The elongated head has an expressive almost glaring visage comprised of huge almost duck like lips, rounded cheeks, and impressed eyes with pupils that are pierced all the way into the head, all topped by a cap-like coiffure. A superb example displaying hallmark Olmec infantile facial features that are often interpreted as were-jaguars, humans undergoing a supernatural transformation. Size: 5" L x 3.5" W x 7.3" H (12.7 cm x 8.9 cm x 18.5 cm)
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 "baby face", with plump bodies and chubby, pouty facial features. The shape of their heads - like this one - have been attributed to deliberate skull shaping.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated.
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 is available to the buyer upon request.
Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000
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#170502
- Condition: Loss to arms, legs, and headdress as shown. Surface nicks and chips to high pointed areas. All original material. TL hole on the base and second TL hole under left arm. Remains of old inventory label on base and putty for stability.
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