Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerican Formative Period, Guerrero State, Mexico, Xochipala culture, ca. 13th to 10th century BCE. A wonderfully expressive ceramic portrait of a seated woman, wearing a skirt and shawl, with her breasts revealed, and adorned with large ear ornaments and a choker style necklace. She sits cross legged, placing her right hand on her right knee, and raising her left hand to her breasts. The details of her face are lifelike, with closed eyes, an upturned nose, and an open mouth as if singing, speaking, or chanting - nicely framed by a lovely centrally parted hairdo. Size: 3.25" L x 3.875" W x 6.125" H (8.3 cm x 9.8 cm x 15.6 cm); 6.75" H (17.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Xochipala figures, while rare, are noted for their naturalistic poses and attention to detail, despite their early date in the Mesoamerican ceramic tradition. Unlike the Olmec, who seem to have deliberately abstracted human figures, perhaps to remove them from the quotidian world, the artisans of Xochipala seemed intent on creating the most naturalistic representations possible.

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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#147048

  • Condition: Section of right forearm reattached. Left hand reattached. Expected surface wear commensurate with age. Nice mineral deposits.

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November 14, 2019 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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