Search Price Results
Wish

LOT 0102D

Fine Olmec Jade Figural Vessel w/ Traces of Cinnabar

[ translate ]

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1200 to 550 BCE. A lovely jar of a squat, ovoid form, hand-carved from mottled yellow-green jade with beige and citrine inclusions. The elongated body tapers along the back and has a deep basin filled with traces of red cinnabar, and the thick rim tapers downward to form the walls. Protruding from the front is a highly stylized anthropomorphic head bearing string-cut grooves that denote the eyes, brows, mouth, lips, ears, and nose, and the prostrate pose creates a stable form due to the arms and legs acting as three stabilizing vessel 'legs.' The contours of the anthropomorphic bodily and facial features are concurrently accentuated with red cinnabar as this vessel was perhaps used to store large volumes of the popular pigment. An eye-catching example of Olmec figural artistry. Size: 4.25" L x 1.8" W x 1.8" H (10.8 cm x 4.6 cm x 4.6 cm)

The Olmec are the ancestors of all Mesoamerican civilizations. Their artistic style was practiced in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico and diffused outward through extensive trade networks that stretched into northern Mexico and central America. As the first major civilization in this fertile area, scholars believe that Olmec artwork was revered by later civilizations that kept pieces as heirlooms. The Olmec style laid the artistic groundwork for many future civilizations and is famous for its anthropomorphic depictions that became synonymous with elite status in the highlands.

Provenance: ex-William Ashby collection, acquired from the 1960s to the 1980s

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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#141293 Dimensions: Condition Report: Repair and light restoration to large area of left side of figure and vessel body, with resurfacing and light adhesive residue along new material and break lines. Minor abrasions and nicks to rim, face, body, and basin, with softening to some finer figural details, fading to red cinnabar pigment, and light encrustations. Nice traces of red cinnabar pigment throughout.

[ translate ]

View it on
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
13 Feb 2020
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock

[ translate ]

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1200 to 550 BCE. A lovely jar of a squat, ovoid form, hand-carved from mottled yellow-green jade with beige and citrine inclusions. The elongated body tapers along the back and has a deep basin filled with traces of red cinnabar, and the thick rim tapers downward to form the walls. Protruding from the front is a highly stylized anthropomorphic head bearing string-cut grooves that denote the eyes, brows, mouth, lips, ears, and nose, and the prostrate pose creates a stable form due to the arms and legs acting as three stabilizing vessel 'legs.' The contours of the anthropomorphic bodily and facial features are concurrently accentuated with red cinnabar as this vessel was perhaps used to store large volumes of the popular pigment. An eye-catching example of Olmec figural artistry. Size: 4.25" L x 1.8" W x 1.8" H (10.8 cm x 4.6 cm x 4.6 cm)

The Olmec are the ancestors of all Mesoamerican civilizations. Their artistic style was practiced in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico and diffused outward through extensive trade networks that stretched into northern Mexico and central America. As the first major civilization in this fertile area, scholars believe that Olmec artwork was revered by later civilizations that kept pieces as heirlooms. The Olmec style laid the artistic groundwork for many future civilizations and is famous for its anthropomorphic depictions that became synonymous with elite status in the highlands.

Provenance: ex-William Ashby collection, acquired from the 1960s to the 1980s

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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#141293 Dimensions: Condition Report: Repair and light restoration to large area of left side of figure and vessel body, with resurfacing and light adhesive residue along new material and break lines. Minor abrasions and nicks to rim, face, body, and basin, with softening to some finer figural details, fading to red cinnabar pigment, and light encrustations. Nice traces of red cinnabar pigment throughout.

[ translate ]
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
13 Feb 2020
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock