Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Guerrero region, Chontal, ca. 800 to 300 BCE. A fine figure, skillfully carved from a smooth stone of sage green hues, showing very strong Olmec characteristics, but clearly Chontal from the Guerrero region. Depicted from the waist up with finely delineated arms presenting subtly drilled armpits, bent at the elbows with fingers (three on each hand) meeting across the abdominal area, rounded shoulders, and a visage with bold features - both incised and in relief - including coffee bean shaped eyes, a wide nose, ear phalanges, and a straight mouth with partially drilled dimples at the corners. Custom stand. Size: 1.875" W x 3.75" H (4.8 cm x 9.5 cm); 4.625" H (11.7 cm) on stand

The Guerrero region of modern-day southwestern Mexico was the center of the Mezcala and Chontal stone carving traditions. While Mezcala artists are known for their abstract, geometric style, the Chontal sculptors imbued their artworks with more naturalism. Although their stonework stems from the Preclassic period, ca. 300 to 100 BCE, later Mesoamerican peoples clearly cherished Chontal portable sculptures as heirlooms. Chontal creations have been unearthed in ritual caches at Templo Mayor, the principle temple of the fifteenth-century Aztecs of Tenochititlan (Mexico City). What's more, legendary 20th century modernists such as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Miguel Covarrubias appreciated the minimalist qualities of Chontal art. Covarrubias went so far as to compare it to the Cycladic style of ancient Greece.

Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois USA, acquired prior to 1970.

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#122159

Losses to back of head, chin, one side of jawline, back of one shoulder, and base as shown. Overall a strong and very unusual example.