Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A larger-than-life stucco head of a dignitary, portrayed here with projecting lips parted open as if in mid-speech, a sharp, down-turned nose with a high nasal ridge, and bulging, heavy-lidded eyes. His eccentric visage is topped by a lively plumed headdress featuring seven undulating feathers, extending outwards in every direction and creating a starburst-like crown. Below it is a segmented headband of four target-like designs. The vivacity of his countenance is enhanced by the vivid orange-red hue embellishing his facial features. Size: 11" W x 14.25" H (27.9 cm x 36.2 cm); 17.5" H (44.4 cm) on included custom stand.

This figure's plumed head, collared neck, and sky-like motifs indicates that he may be Quetzalcoatl ("Feathered Serpent" in the Nahuatl language), the Pre-Columbian deity revered as lord of wind and sky who the Maya called Kukulkan. The earliest representations of Quetzalcoatl adorn the Temple of Quetzalcoatl in Teotihuacan, Mexico (ca. 3rd century CE) where numerous stone heads of the divine plumed snake embellish the steps of this Pre-Classic pyramid. The pioneering artist/anthropologist Miguel Covarrubias whose writings and illustrations on indigenous cultures of the ancient Americas continue to contribute to scholarly studies today stated, "Quetzalcoatl stood for all that was good in this world: peace, art, wisdom, and prosperity. Disguised as an ant, he discovered maize, the staple food of the Indians, hidden under the mountain of Substance, Tonacatepetl; he also invented the arts, the sciences, and the calendar. In fact, everything connected with wisdom and culture was attributed to Quetzalcoatl." (Miguel Covarrubias, Mexico South: The Isthmus of Tehuantepec (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946), 130.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Alan Stone collection, New York City, New York, USA, 1950 to 2000

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#161413

Fragment of a larger piece. Some repair to proper right cheek, tip of nose, and ends of feathers, with possible restoration in areas. Expected surface wear as shown. Otherwise, very nice with excellent earthen deposits throughout.