Pre-Columbian, Valley of Mexico, Teotihuacan, Classic Period, ca. 450 to 650 CE. A gorgeous anthropomorphic maskette of solid construction and timeless form that is hand-carved from semi-translucent tecali stone exhibiting mottled maize, citron, sage, taupe, wheat, and moss hues. Tecali is traditionally referred to as "Mexican onyx," however it is not in the agate family; it more closely resembles a calcite stone like alabaster. The robust portraiture exhibits ovoid orbitals flanking the top of the nasal bridge, solid nostrils above full, parted lips, a rounded chin beneath gradually tapered cheeks, and a gently bulging brow bearing a planar top. A pair of tab-shaped ears flank the intriguing countenance. Size: 5.75" W x 5.8" H (14.6 cm x 14.7 cm); 7.4" H (18.8 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 and masks like this example are perhaps the best-known works of Teotihuacan art, often with 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.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession numbers 1987.394.721 and 00.5.1437

A similar example hammered for EUR 31,250 ($35,370.31) at Christie's, Paris "Un oeil a part: Collections d'un esprit libre" auction (Live auction 18966, December 10-11, 2019, lot 16).

Another similar example hammered for EUR 112,500 ($127,333.13) at Sotheby's, Paris "Le Soleil De Nuit: Tresors Precolombiens D'une Grande Collection Francaise" auction (sale number PF1948, October 30, 2019, lot 29).

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private lifetime collection of Dr. Saul Tuttman and Dr. Gregory Siskind, New York, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s

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#170410

Repaired across brow, back of right ear, and jawline along both lower corners along verso, with light adhesive residue along break lines. Damage to bottom left corner on verso with resulting damage to ear lobe. Small loss to top left corner. Abrasions and light pitting to most surfaces commensurate with age. Great preservation to facial details. Natural cavity along back right side used for mounting mask on display stand. Old inventory label adhesive residue as well as 2 old inventory numbers written in black ink atop clear substance on verso.