Originally listed at $4,000...

Pre-Columbian, South America, Chile, Atacama Desert, Neolithic period, ca. 10,000 to 5,000 BCE. An intriguing guardian idol statue carved from chalky white sandstone and exhibiting a highly-stylized anthropomorphic presentation with a minimalist aesthetic. The columnar body displays no discernible features or limbs and extends upwards to a lightly-tapered head. The uncomplicated visage is composed of slit-form eyes, a petite mouth, and a prominent pointed nose beneath a smooth, slanted brow. Neolithic sculptures from the Atacama Desert like this are some of the earliest examples of ancient South American art as it predates the Chavin culture by roughly 8,000 years. Remarkably, examples of such abstract stylization like this are found across the prehistoric globe in areas of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Near East. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 4.75" W x 13" H (12.1 cm x 33 cm); 14.75" H (37.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, acquired before 1960

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#141311

Area of restoration to side of nose. Loss to bottom section, minor abrasions to body and head, softening to some finer details, and surface wear commensurate with age. Drilled through base for mounting.