Pre-Columbian, Guerrero, Mexico, Mezcala style, ca. 300 BCE. This is a pair of greenstone heads that are maskette face panels with flat backs. Both have drilled holes for suspension. Mezcala sculpture makes us think about the individual elements of the human form by abstracting them into basic geometric shapes. The eyes, mouths, and other details would have been drilled out and the shape smoothed using sandstone abrasion. The larger of the two heads looks like a Type M-18, which is described by Gay and Pratt (see below). The smaller, with its distinctive eyes created from straight, drilled lines, also looks like a Type M-18 (the type has some leeway!). We do not know what these heads represented, but because they are found in tombs, many researchers believe that they have something to do with the dead: their spirits, or a type of death mask. Gay and Pratt also suggest that they may have something to do with the Mezcala lunar religion -- perhaps they helped provide safe passage to the netherworld, which seems to have been located on the Moon. All proceeds from this item will go towards the benefit of 6 animal charities in Taos, NM. Size of largest: 1.4" L x 3" W x 3" H (3.6 cm x 7.6 cm x 7.6 cm)

cf, Gay, C. and Pratt, F. 1992 Mezcala: Ancient Stone Sculpture from Guerrero, Mexico, Balsas Publication, Switzerland.

Provenance: Ex - Private K. Holkza collection via family descent from her sister, acquired in NYC before 1975

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#113961

Both have slight wear, but are intact with nice features.