Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 1000 to 400 BCE. A mesmerizing maskette carved from a beautiful jade stone of robin's egg blue hues, created by the Olmec, the oldest major civilization in Mexico. The piece is expertly worked with graceful, subtle contours and signature Olmec traits including a jowly face, downturned jaguar mouth, and slanted eyes. The forehead appears artificially shaped, a sign of high status due to cranial deformation, as the Olmec traditionally wore tight-fitting helmets. Red cinnabar highlights recessed details and contrasts beautifully with the blue-green color of the jade. Drilled for suspension or attachment at the temples. Size: 1.375" L x 1.125" W (3.5 cm x 2.9 cm)

The attention to detail on this piece is quite impressive. Note the expressive lips and cleft palette of the jaguar mouth, the full nose with pierced nostrils, the phalange ears, and the stylized elliptical-shaped eyes. To the Olmecs, masks and maskettes like this example carried many meanings, not all of which are obvious to us today; however, scholars surmise that the blue-green color of jade was associated with vibrant growth, renewal, and given the cyclical conception of life and death, rejuvenation after death.

Provenance: private Stagecoach, Nevada, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#128805

  • Condition: Near choice. Save small abraded area inherent to the stone below the chin, this piece is pretty fabulous!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

November 9, 2017 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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