Lot 111A
Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz culture, ca. 3rd to 7th century CE. A hollow-molded pottery sonriente (smiling face) of sizable form depicting a standing child with arms extended outward and upward to his sides and supine hands. The charming child stares forward through slender almond shaped eyes above a rounded nose, open bowed lips displaying a row of top teeth, and a smooth chin. Each ear is adorned with a discoid ear plug, and the broad headdress is adorned with a tendril spiraling inwards from one side. Size: 4.3" L x 10.125" W x 13" H (10.9 cm x 25.7 cm x 33 cm); 13.9" H (35.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Sonrientes or "smiling faces" are the most famous pottery figures from this period in Veracruz (known as Remojadas for its keystone archaeological site). Like this one, they depict wide, smiling, childlike faces, often with teeth showing. Smiling faces are very rare in Mesoamerican art, but in Remojadas and the surrounding area, these Sonrientes were apparently popular, leading to a mystery for archaeologists. Some have suggested that the smiles are the result of consuming the alcoholic beverage pulque, or taking hallucinogenic drugs; others see them as representing performers.
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: private Redwood City, California, USA collection, before 2000
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.
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#182980
- Condition: Professional repair and restoration to areas of both arms, neck, feet, and body, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Abrasions and nicks commensurate with age, with minor softening to some finer details, and light earthen deposits, otherwise in great condition. Nice preservation to overall form and size. TL drill holes beneath proper right foot and middle of back under the vent hole.
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