Description:

**Originally listed at 250**

Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Guerrero, Mezcala culture (Balsas culture), ca. 700 to 200 BCE. A pair of stone birds, both carved from a hard black-grey stone using string cutting and drilling techniques, then hand-polished to create lustrous surfaces. Size of longer-necked bird: 3.45" L x 0.9" W x 1.5" H (8.8 cm x 2.3 cm x 3.8 cm)

One of the birds is posed sitting, with its head tilted upwards and its wings folded on its back; the bird's shape has been dictated by the shape of the stone it was made from, probably a river cobble. The second presents a rather dynamic pose, like a duck or goose preparing to attack, with the neck and head down low and the body raised up, the wings right on the back. This culture is known for its abstract carved stone figures, but these two examples show unusual realism and detail.

Provenance: Ex-Peter Arnovick Collection, San Francisco, CA

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#120102

  • Condition: Both show expected surface wear and losses commensurate with age.

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June 26, 2017 9:00 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