Rare Ecudoran La Tolita Bone Figural Carving

**Originally Listed At $800**

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, La Tolita (sometimes Tumaco), ca. 350 BCE to 350 CE. A rare example of a stylized anthropomorphic figure carved from ungulate bone with expertly designed openwork details. The figure kneels atop an integral cylindrical platform and features a curved tail, attenuated limbs that curve atop the bulbous chest, and broad shoulders that taper inwards to form the neckline. The expressive countenance peers outwards with petite eyes surrounded by incised facial wrinkles, and a lengthy tongue drapes from a gaping mouth filled with thin teeth. Figural bone carvings like this example are exceptionally scarce, making this an outstanding example from ancient Ecuador! Size: 0.7" W x 3.8" H (1.8 cm x 9.7 cm); 4.25" H (10.8 cm) on included custom stand.

The artistic creations from the Ecuadorian culture of La Tolita / Tumaco were some of the finest in ancient South America. Many wood and bone figurines, ceramic creations, and stone carvings depicted naturalistic details seldom observed in Pre-Columbian artwork, with almost all of them exhibiting ear ornamentation, nose rings, large pectorals, or other forms of fine embellishments. La Tolita artisans crafted simple yet effective stone tools to shape hard substances into recognizable forms, which also increased their proficiency in carving semi-precious stones as well.

Provenance: private New York, USA collection, acquired around 1966

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.

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#159203
Condition Report: Minor nicks around top and bottom openings as well as some openwork details, with darkening to some surfaces, and softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and very good. Nice smooth exterior surfaces.