Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Aztec, ca. 1300 to 1500 CE. A remarkable stone sculpture of a male figure, possibly a shaman or warrior, hand carved from a single piece of volcanic rock with finely delineated facial features upon his characteristically elongated head. He stands upright facing forward with hands pressed together across his chest, his eyes half closed and his lips serenely pursed as if he is praying or in an altered state. The surface shows marks from the pecking method used by the sculptor to bring this piece of stone to life. Size: 6" W x 12.5" H (15.2 cm x 31.8 cm)

Shamanism played a major role in everyday life of Pre-Columbian world. The shaman was a chosen individual who would attain altered states of consciousness to engage with the spirit world and channel transcendental energies into this world. Shamans would bring on these trances by ingesting fermented drinks as well as naturally occurring narcotics such as coca and hallucinogenic mushrooms, and communicate with spiritual forces for a variety of reasons including divination, healing as well as casting or breaking spells. The shaman were highly revered as they were believed to have the power to connect mortals with the spiritual realm.

Provenance: Ex Peter Arnovick Collection

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#112297

A few chips to base, else generally excellent