Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Guerrero, Mezcala culture (Balsas culture), ca. 700 to 200 BCE. An outstanding greenstone anthropomorphic figure, with a stylized, angular body and delineated limbs. The fascinating figure displays rounded shoulders, lengthy arms that lay parallel to his slender torso, wide hips, and a pair of thick legs. His humungous head presents an abstract yet expressive visage with recessed eyes, a heavy brow, a broad nose, prominent nasolabial folds, and an ovoid mouth, all flanked by a pair of small ears. This open-mouth expression suggests a somewhat trancelike, meditative, or even chanting state. Adding to this, the piece was carved from an inherently attractive stone of deep green hues, the upper section of the head presenting beautiful mottled patterns. Size: 2.5" W x 5.5" H (6.4 cm x 14 cm); 6" H (15.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Scholars have proposed that misshapen heads as we see in this example are indicative of the artificial cranial deformation practiced by the Olmec peoples. Carlo Gay, a respected authority on Mezcala sculpture, writes about three lithic traditions that "had direct or indirect contacts with the Mezcala as exemplified by technological, thematic, and stylistic similarities": those of Chontal, Teotihuacan, and the Olmec "whose cultural remains have been found in nearly all of eastern Guerrero, including the Xochipala Basin in the Mezcala enclave." (Gay, p. 210)

The Mezcala sculptors brilliantly used string-saw technology to differentiate facial features and limbs. The ancient artisans of this region were particularly adept at reducing the human body to simple, eloquent forms via this string cut technique. The result ironically appeals to a modernist taste for minimalism. Mezcala sculptural works are equally appealing for the inherent beauty of the stone selected by the ancients. This example is no exception!

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 New York, USA collection, acquired in 1989

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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.

#165124

Expected light nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nicely preserved form.