Superb Olmec Pottery Head w/ Kan Cross Vent Hole
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Veracruz, Olmec, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A wonderful buff earthenware head with skillfully modeled and carved features, faint traces of creamy pigment on the face, and deep grey/black pigment on the coiffure and hair ornaments. Note that the vent hole on the back of the head is in the form of a Kan Cross which was a symbol of the four cardinal directions that denoted the center as the axis mundi. Interestingly, this feature was also found on similar heads found at the Olmec site of San Lorenzo in Veracruz. A finely-modeled Olmec baby head with a remarkably expressive visage presenting characteristic traits including narrow almond-shaped eyes with delineated pupils, a naturalistic nose, and were-jaguar lips surrounding a gaping mouth - all upon an elongated head indicative of ritualistic cranial deformation and topped by a lobed coiffure that is further adorned with applied ornaments. Size: 4.25" H (10.8 cm); 5.375" H (13.7 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: ex-old private New England collection, acquired in the 1970s; ex private Illinois, USA collection, since the 1970s
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.
#162458
Condition Report: A fragment from a larger Olmec baby figure. Two small impressed areas on head possibly tool marks or intentional decorative marks. Break lines are old with deposits extending to them. Ample mineral and earthen deposits.
View it on
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Veracruz, Olmec, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A wonderful buff earthenware head with skillfully modeled and carved features, faint traces of creamy pigment on the face, and deep grey/black pigment on the coiffure and hair ornaments. Note that the vent hole on the back of the head is in the form of a Kan Cross which was a symbol of the four cardinal directions that denoted the center as the axis mundi. Interestingly, this feature was also found on similar heads found at the Olmec site of San Lorenzo in Veracruz. A finely-modeled Olmec baby head with a remarkably expressive visage presenting characteristic traits including narrow almond-shaped eyes with delineated pupils, a naturalistic nose, and were-jaguar lips surrounding a gaping mouth - all upon an elongated head indicative of ritualistic cranial deformation and topped by a lobed coiffure that is further adorned with applied ornaments. Size: 4.25" H (10.8 cm); 5.375" H (13.7 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: ex-old private New England collection, acquired in the 1970s; ex private Illinois, USA collection, since the 1970s
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.
#162458
Condition Report: A fragment from a larger Olmec baby figure. Two small impressed areas on head possibly tool marks or intentional decorative marks. Break lines are old with deposits extending to them. Ample mineral and earthen deposits.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
