**Originally Listed At $700**

Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Aztec Empire, ca. 1400 to 1521 CE. A head carved from grey volcanic stone, with fascinating decoration on the face. This was likely once part of a larger figure. The face has deep-set eyes underneath a heavy brow and ears with large earrings; around the head is a band that probably once had a headdress. The top of the head is smooth, perhaps indicating a bald pate. The face is deeply incised with lines that radiate from the center of the face, both along the forehead and down the cheeks, perhaps indicating scarification, tattooing, or even advanced age. Size: 3.7" W x 3.5" H (9.4 cm x 8.9 cm); 6.2" H (15.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Aztec stone sculpture is a culmination of centuries of stone carving in Mesoamerica, and, using fragile volcanic stone, they were able to create remarkably naturalistic and detailed artworks. This figure is almost certainly a deity; the Aztecs carved thousands of images of gods and goddesses that they used to adorn public spaces, temples, and altars. Aztec people would have instantly known who this god was and what it meant to see him in his place of honor.

Provenance: ex-old private New England, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s

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#133144

Small losses and chips on surface, mainly the nose/mouth, the ears, and the headdress. Nicely preserved details on the face.