Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Guerrero region, Chontal, Sultepec, ca. 600 to 100 BCE. A superb example of a stone carving from Guerrero, Mexico, a region best known for Mezcala and Chontal sculpture. This fascinating example boasts features particular to the Sultepec, such as a prominent curved nose that makes for a marvelous profile. From the front, the piece presents a square visage of rectangular eyes with pierced pupils, a dramatically thick unibrow, and full lips held open. Beyond these bold features, the visage shows smooth cheeks and facial contours, all skillfully sculpted from a peach-hued stone and adorned by snowy white remains of stucco. Scholars believe that such masks were tied to funerary bundles of the noble elite. A rare and exquisite example! Size: 4.1" W x 4.8" H (10.4 cm x 12.2 cm); 6.6" H (16.8 cm) on included custom stand.

The Guerrero region of modern-day southwestern Mexico was the center of the Mezcala and Chontal stone carving traditions. While Mezcala artists are known for their abstract, geometric style, the Chontal sculptors imbued their artworks with more naturalism. Although their stonework stems from the Preclassic period, ca. 300 to 100 BCE, later Mesoamerican peoples clearly cherished Chontal portable sculptures as heirlooms. Chontal creations have been unearthed in ritual caches at Templo Mayor, the principal temple of the 15th century Aztecs of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City).

What's more, legendary 20th century modernists such as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Miguel Covarrubias appreciated the minimalist qualities of Chontal art. Covarrubias went so far as to compare it to the Cycladic style of ancient Greece. Scholars believe that such masks as this example were tied to funerary bundles of the noble elite; however, smaller scale masks suggest they may have been attached to clothing.

Cf. The Walters Art Museum, accession number 29.4 and Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.2001.212.20

Provenance: ex-private Orlando, Florida, USA collection; ex-Art for Eternity Gallery, New York City, New York, USA; ex-private California, USA collection, acquired by descent from grandfather 1960's

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#168943

Expected nicks, chips, abrasions, and softening of detail, commensurate with age. Minor loss to proper upper right corner. Otherwise, excellent with nice remains of stucco. Collection label on verso.