Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Incan Empire, ca. 1200 to 1532 CE. A lovely miniature anthropomorphic figure, hand-carved from a mottled, cream-hued stone with orange inclusions, depicted as a rendition of the Incan maize deity. The stylized figure presents with a slight forward-leaning posture and stands atop attenuated legs with a bulbous torso flanked by bent arms and rounded shoulders. Large, almond-shaped eyes, a bar-shaped nose, incised mouth lines, and a deeply-contoured neckline comprise the abstract visage, and the head is capped with a broad semicircular headdress. Carried on the back is a large ear of corn of a conical form and with delineated kernels. This figure represents an abstract depiction of "Mama Sara" (also Saramama), the Incan "maize mother" associated with maize that grew in multiples or in strange ways. Oddly-formed ears of corn were often dressed as dolls of Mama Sara and given to children. Custom metal display stand included. Size: 0.8" W x 1.7" H (2 cm x 4.3 cm); 1.9" H (4.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Florida, USA collection; ex-private Richards collection, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ex-Splendors of the World, Haiku, Hawaii, USA; ex-Joel L. Malter collection, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#139688

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, minor nicks to feet, arms, body, headdress, and maize, with minor darkening to stone color. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label beneath display stand.