Teotihuacan / Tecali Calcite Standing Figure
**Originally Listed At $950**
Pre-Columbian, Valley of Mexico, Teotihuacan or Tecali culture, Late Preclassic Period, ca. 300 to 100 BCE. An intriguing example of a petite figure that is hand-carved from translucent calcite of a creamy honey-yellow hue. The attenuated figure stands upon narrow legs delineated with string-cut grooves and grasps a narrow olla tightly in both hands. A shallow groove crossing over top the chest suggests the figure is wearing a padded tunic or cuirass beneath angular shoulders, perhaps an indication of being a warrior or a priest. The tall, trapezoidal head bears recessed horizontal eyes, a bulbous triangular nose above pouty lips, smooth cheeks, and a broad chin, all beneath a hat that rests low on the forehead. A biconically drilled suspension hole is situated behind the brow and indicates that this figure was perhaps worn on a necklace strand as an anthropomorphic pendant. Size: 1.1" W x 2.7" H (2.8 cm x 6.9 cm); 2.8" H (7.1 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 an overuse of detail.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Veracruzana Gallery, New York, New York, USA, 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.
#164532
Condition Report: One stable hairline fissure behind head, with light encrustations within suspension hole and some recessed areas, and minor abrasions across obverse and verso, otherwise intact and excellent. Nice surface smoothness and light earthen deposits throughout.
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**Originally Listed At $950**
Pre-Columbian, Valley of Mexico, Teotihuacan or Tecali culture, Late Preclassic Period, ca. 300 to 100 BCE. An intriguing example of a petite figure that is hand-carved from translucent calcite of a creamy honey-yellow hue. The attenuated figure stands upon narrow legs delineated with string-cut grooves and grasps a narrow olla tightly in both hands. A shallow groove crossing over top the chest suggests the figure is wearing a padded tunic or cuirass beneath angular shoulders, perhaps an indication of being a warrior or a priest. The tall, trapezoidal head bears recessed horizontal eyes, a bulbous triangular nose above pouty lips, smooth cheeks, and a broad chin, all beneath a hat that rests low on the forehead. A biconically drilled suspension hole is situated behind the brow and indicates that this figure was perhaps worn on a necklace strand as an anthropomorphic pendant. Size: 1.1" W x 2.7" H (2.8 cm x 6.9 cm); 2.8" H (7.1 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 an overuse of detail.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Veracruzana Gallery, New York, New York, USA, 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.
#164532
Condition Report: One stable hairline fissure behind head, with light encrustations within suspension hole and some recessed areas, and minor abrasions across obverse and verso, otherwise intact and excellent. Nice surface smoothness and light earthen deposits throughout.
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