Chontal Serpentine Standing Figure

**Originally Listed At $1800**

Pre-Columbian, central Mexico, Guerrero region, Chontal, ca. 800 to 400 BCE. Finely carved and string-cut from a beautiful serpentine stone of rich green hues, a standing anthroporphic figure presenting a characteristically oversized head with an expressive visage comprised of narrow, almond-shaped eyes which may have contained inlays (perhaps obsidian or a different greenstone), a prominent nose, an open mouth with delineated lips and a bump atop the head suggesting Olmecoid influence. The sculpture also displays a robust body with modeled surfaces suggestive of musculature as well as partial perforations marking the underarms that also indicate Olmec influence. The arms and legs are separated from the body and details were meticulously achieved via the string-cut technique. Size: 2.625" W x 7.625" H (6.7 cm x 19.4 cm); 7.5" H (19 cm) on included custom stand.

Chontal sculptors created grave offerings that are dramatically abstract yet simultaneously present features that are somewhat naturalistic. The beauty of the stone in addition to the elegant delineation of the form of this example make for an impressive piece.

Provenance: ex private Florida, USA collection; ex Barry Kernerman collection, Toronto, Canada; ex Samuel Dubiner collection, Tel Aviv, Israel, acquired in the 1960s

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#161872
Condition Report: Losses, chips, and nicks to head, body and arms. Abrasions to surfaces. Beautiful natural stone inclusions and mineral deposits.