Pre-Columbian, Guerrero Region, Southwestern Mexico, Mezcala, ca. 500 to 200 BCE. An outstanding greenstone anthropomorphic figure, with a stylized, angular body, though with rounded shoulders, elbows, and legs, limbs separated from the torso, hands meeting over the abdominal area, an abstract yet expressive visage divided into pie-shaped quadrants, with smooth planar contours, drilled eyes beneath a pointed overhanging forehead, and a straight slit mouth. This open-mouth expression when viewed in concert with the hands held together over the abdominal region, suggests a somewhat trancelike, meditative, or even chanting state. Adding to this, the piece was carved from a inherently attractive stone of deep green hues, the upper section of the head presenting beautiful mottled patterns. Custom stand. Size: 3" W x 7.25" H (7.6 cm x 18.4 cm); 7.5" H (19 cm) on stand

The Mezcala sculptors brilliantly used string-saw technology to differentiate facial features and limbs. The ancient artisans of this region were particularly adept at reducing the human body to simple, eloquent forms via this string cut technique. The result ironically appeals to a modernist taste for minimalism. Mezcala sculptural works are equally appealing for the inherent beauty of the stone selected by the ancients. This example is no exception!

Provenance: ex collection of Alan Davis, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#124508

Minor surface wear, nice root marks. Old nick to back of head, possibly inherent to the original stone.