Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Tabasco, Olmec, La Venta culture, ca. 900 to 600 BCE. A beautiful, hand-carved greenstone head that was perhaps part of a larger figure at one time. The bulbous, lozenge-shaped head features intricately incised features such as sweeping brows above almond-shaped eyes, a slender nasal bridge that expands into drilled nostrils, full lips surrounded by deep nasolabial folds, and a gently tapered neck. Behind each flush cheek is a biconically drilled earlobe that perhaps held additional ornamentation at one time. Each eye bears a double-drilled pupil that creates an intriguing three-dimensional effect when light is cast downward from above the face. The elongated cranium and gentle cleft behind the skull perhaps signify this individual as one of high or royal status. The rough areas beneath the neck suggest that this head was removed from a larger figure in a ritualistic manner, perhaps to signify this individual's death. Size: 1.11" L x 1.03" W x 1.85" H (2.8 cm x 2.6 cm x 4.7 cm); 2.83" H (7.2 cm) on included custom stand.

To the Olmecs, statuettes like the one this head likely originated from carried many meanings, not all of which are obvious to us today; however, scholars surmise that the color green was associated with vibrant growth, renewal, and given the cyclical conception of life and death, rejuvenation after death. A breathtaking work of art, replete with strong technique, intriguing symbolism, and an inherently beautiful greenstone mottled with veining of various shades of green, white, and black hues.

We know that the Olmec settled in areas including San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, La Venta, Tres Zapotes, Laguna de los Cerros, and La Mojarra; however, their influence impacted the entire Mesoamerican region. In 2005, Neutron Activation Analysis and petrography was used to demonstrate this impact via the widespread existence of Olmec ceramic vessels. Scholars suspect that other groups equated the Olmec style with elite status given the exchange and emulation of Olmec artifacts throughout Mesoamerica. It is also believed that the Olmec invented the famous Mesoamerican ballgame prevalent among the later Maya as well as other cultures in the region and may have also invented religious entities such as the feathered serpent and the rain god, which would continue in subsequent cultures.

Provenance: ex-Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA collection; ex-private Chicago, Illinois, USA collection; ex-private New York, USA collection, from the 1960s

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#168555

This head was likely part of a larger figure at one time as indicated by the jagged areas beneath the neck. Minor abrasions to face, brow, verso, and cranium, with light softening to some finer incised details, otherwise intact and excellent. Great mineral and soil deposits throughout, and excellent patina with smooth surface texture.