Description:

The indigenous of Ecuador created masks, providing themselves with another face, a dual identity with ritual significance. The mask on the left represents a simian-like animal effigy, and the example on the right represents an anthropomorphic supernatural being. Far from a unitary ancient culture, Ecuador was comprised of diverse societies, each with its distinctive artistic expression. An outgrowth of the earlier Chorrera ceramic sculptural tradition, Jama-Coaque artisans focused on figural representation. They typically built their pieces using mold construction and hand modeling. Shamanistic practices involved accessing a spirit form. This typically involved transformative rituals aided by the ingestation of hallucinogenic plants and the donning of masks, special textiles, and other attributes. Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Jamacoaque culture, ca. 500 CE. Set of 2 terracotta masks. Larger one measures 5-1/2" x 5-3/4", smaller one measures 5-1/2" x 4." Provenance: Ex-Miguel Mejia, Miami, FL, ex-New World Artifacts, San Diego, CA. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. The starting price is the lowest price at which the lot can sell.

  • Condition: Chips and erosion to both chins. Smaller mask intact, save a few chips and left ear area repaired; larger mask repaired from approx. three large pieces, both with scattered mineral deposits on surface

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October 11, 2013 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