Pre-Columbian, South America, Argentina or Chile, Mapuche culture, ca. 1200 to 1700 CE. An stunning mask of an enormous size carved from mottled pale-grey stone with light and dark inclusions. The ovoid mask is defined by drilled circular eyes set beneath dramatically-curving brows and flanking a tall, bulbous nose, a gaping mouth surrounded by thick lips, incised circular ears, puffy cheeks, and a rounded chin. The peripheries are smoothed and evenly curved, and the verso is carved out to be placed atop the head of a deceased individual. Scholars posit that Mapuche stone masks were created with a funerary context; however, maskettes of a smaller size were also used in healing rituals. An exceedingly rare example of masks of this size! Size: 8.5" W x 12" H (21.6 cm x 30.5 cm); 15.625" H (39.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Interestingly, the Mapuche managed to resist countless attempts by the Inca to subjugate them, despite what scholars have surmised to be a lack of communal organization. In addition, they successfully fought the Spaniards for more than 300 years. Historians have demonstrated that the Spaniard's initial conquests in the late 16th century were actually reversed by the Mapuche. Apparently, the Mapuche were so intimidating that Europeans would not return to certain areas until the late 19th century.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Colin Arundel collection, California, USA, before 2010

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#101489

Chips and abrasions to nose, brows, mouth, ears, peripheries, and verso, with light encrustations within some recessed areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label within verso cavity.