Fine Teotihuacan Serpentine Stone Figure
Pre-Columbian, Valley of Mexico, Teotihuacan, ca. 100 to 600 CE. A fine hand-carved and string cut stone figure, either male or non-gender specific, presenting a characteristically stylized body and u-shaped head with an expressive visage. This anthropomorphic figure is made from mottled serpentine and exhibits a cleft delineating the legs. Both arms are held to the sides above the string-cut waistline, and the angular shoulders taper inwards to form the broad neck base. The face bears eyes comprised of narrow grooves with circular pupils - which perhaps contained inlays of obsidian or a different greenstone at one time - as well as a relatively naturalistic nose and a string-cut mouth. The head is flanked by pronounced ears under a cap or cap-like coiffure atop the forehead. Ancient Meso-American artisans were adept at reducing the human form down to minimal, elegant shapes via the meticulous string-cut technique. This figure is a wonderful example that demonstrates this skill for simple representation! Size: 2" W x 6.875" H (5.1 cm x 17.5 cm); 7.125" H (18.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Teotihuacan was at one time the largest city in the Pre-Columbian world, famous for its pyramids (Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon) as well as the Great Compound with the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (aka Temple of the Plumed Serpent) punctuating the Avenue of the Dead. Stone figures like this example are perhaps the best-known works of Teotihuacan art. Examples like this figure from Teotihuacan often have idealized features (rather than individual depictions) and calm expressions, with simple lines used economically in order to create powerful effigies without excessive detail.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private New York, USA collection
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.
#164531
Condition Report: Repaired with one leg reattached with visible break line encircling upper leg. Chips to top of headdress and verso of left arms. Surface abrasions and nicks to torso and legs. Nice mottled hues and preservation of details.
View it on
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Pre-Columbian, Valley of Mexico, Teotihuacan, ca. 100 to 600 CE. A fine hand-carved and string cut stone figure, either male or non-gender specific, presenting a characteristically stylized body and u-shaped head with an expressive visage. This anthropomorphic figure is made from mottled serpentine and exhibits a cleft delineating the legs. Both arms are held to the sides above the string-cut waistline, and the angular shoulders taper inwards to form the broad neck base. The face bears eyes comprised of narrow grooves with circular pupils - which perhaps contained inlays of obsidian or a different greenstone at one time - as well as a relatively naturalistic nose and a string-cut mouth. The head is flanked by pronounced ears under a cap or cap-like coiffure atop the forehead. Ancient Meso-American artisans were adept at reducing the human form down to minimal, elegant shapes via the meticulous string-cut technique. This figure is a wonderful example that demonstrates this skill for simple representation! Size: 2" W x 6.875" H (5.1 cm x 17.5 cm); 7.125" H (18.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Teotihuacan was at one time the largest city in the Pre-Columbian world, famous for its pyramids (Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon) as well as the Great Compound with the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (aka Temple of the Plumed Serpent) punctuating the Avenue of the Dead. Stone figures like this example are perhaps the best-known works of Teotihuacan art. Examples like this figure from Teotihuacan often have idealized features (rather than individual depictions) and calm expressions, with simple lines used economically in order to create powerful effigies without excessive detail.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private New York, USA collection
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.
#164531
Condition Report: Repaired with one leg reattached with visible break line encircling upper leg. Chips to top of headdress and verso of left arms. Surface abrasions and nicks to torso and legs. Nice mottled hues and preservation of details.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
