Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Guerrero, Mezcala culture (Balsas culture), ca. 700 to 200 BCE. A stunning example of Mezcala greenstone carving, a standing figure with a fascinating shape. This somewhat resembles Type M-22, which is described by Gay and Pratt (see below). However, there are some interesting details here. The band around the waist may be interpreted as a yoke from the Mesoamerican ballgame or perhaps as clasped hands; below that is an exaggerated fat belly which some have taken to symbolize pregnancy but also may just reflect a carving of a portly individual. Size: 2.1" W x 5.2" H (5.3 cm x 13.2 cm); 6" H (15.2 cm) on included custom stand.

The type of stone it is made out of is a smooth grey-green andesite, a volcanic rock that, although hard and therefore difficult to carve, was heavily favored by the Mezcala and used to create many of their human form sculptures and some of their architectural models. These were carved in the form of symbolic axe heads. We do not know what figures like these 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.

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

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex Paloos collection, Chicago, USA

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#132626

Excellent.