Description:

Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Vera Cruz culture, ca. 500 to 700 CE. A charming, unique figure, a depiction of a priest or shaman wearing a mask on the lower part of his or her face. The figure sits cross-legged, naturalistically, with large hands resting on the knees. A poncho and skirt drape much of the body, but one foot wearing an elaborate strapped sandal is visible, giving a demonstration of the skill of the artist who created the figure. The figure wears a two-tiered necklace and large, round earrings, as well as a headdress that would not look out of place in Star Wars. Size: 5.5" L x 5.75" W x 7.15" H (14 cm x 14.6 cm x 18.2 cm)

Sonrientes, or "smiling faces", are the most famous pottery 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, there are thousands of these Sonrientes figures, 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.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#131321

  • Condition: Foot has been reattached. Headdress has been reconstructed on one side. One finger is missing. Head has been reattached.

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March 1, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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