Large carved black obsidian and sterling silver sculpture of an ancient Mayan King by master Mexican stone-carver and silversmith, Ezequiel Tapia of Taxco, Mexico. 1960’s - 1970’s. Signed on the back of the base, engraved and stamped on a small silver plaque: “TAPIA ~ 970 ~ MEX”. Probably modeled after the very famous Pre-Columbian stucco head of K'inich Janaab Pakal I (603-683 AD), king of Palenque, which is in the collection of the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico-City. The obsidian head is carved in detail and full form, finished in both a glossy polished surface and a smooth satin mat surface. The smooth face of the king is engraved with tattoos and the sculpture is ornamented with heavy sterling (.970) earrings, conchos, floral attachments, a hollow hairpiece in the back, and a silver collar. The polished obsidian base is in the form of a squared pyramid.

SIZE: Height - 15” (38 cm)

WEIGHT: 10 lbs. 6 oz.

NOTES / REFERENCES: Ezequiel Tapia is well-known for his own work in silver and stone, as well as having been the stone-carver of choice for William Spratling. There is a four page chapter devoted to Tapia in the book, ‘MEXICAN SILVER’, by Penny Morrill and Carol Berk. There the authors state: “Normally, for the larger sculptures, Sr. Tapia makes ten original pieces from each model, and for the smaller objects like letter openers, he might produce fifty”. Ezequiel Tapia has won many important awards, including the ‘Presidential Medal’ of Mexico, which he won 15 times and is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a master silversmith.

NO RESERVE

Good condition, as shown in the photos. No damage or restoration. Light overall wear and tarnish to the silver ornaments.