Sculpture: Africa, Pacific, Americas
Sculpture: Africa, Pacific, Americas
Property from a New York Private Collection
Olmec Stone Figure, Puebla Region, Middle Preclassic, circa 900 - 600 BC
Lot Closed
December 4, 05:06 PM GMT
Estimate
70,000 - 90,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Property from a New York Private Collection
Olmec Stone Figure, Puebla Region
Middle Preclassic, circa 900 - 600 BC
Height: 11 in (28 cm)
New York Private Collection, acquired before 1964
Michael D. Coe, ed., The Olmec World: Ritual and Rulership, Princeton, 1996, p. 244, cat. no. 142
The Art Museum, Princeton University, The Olmec World: Ritual and Rulership, December 16, 1995 - February 25, 1996; additional venue: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, April 14 - June 9, 1996
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, long term loan, 2000 - 2010
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, long term loan, 2000 - 2010
The powerful status of this individual is well conveyed by his imposing physiognomy, facial expression and headdress. Figures in stoic and firm postures such as this are one manifestation of the ritual meditative stances associated with shamanic authority; these "ceremonial and ritual positions and gestures convey religious and political meaning." (Michael D. Coe, ed., The Olmec World: Ritual and Rulership, Princeton, 1996, p. 241).
The lustrous green-brown serpentine is carved with emphasis on the large head and long torso, nearly equal in proportions. The musculature of the strong arms, legs and shoulders complement the fully modeled parted lips, flared nostrils, and the large and deeply recessed eyes which are highlighted by thin incised brows. It is notable that the facial features associated with the important senses of sight, sound and voice are prominently sculpted, as is the genitalia shown beneath a smooth loincloth.
The tall cylindrical headdress is an important accoutrement indicating "temporal or religious authority or identified with a particular clan or person" (ibid., p. 244). The prominent ears projecting from the side might be attachments to the headdress, and the wrists and ankles show raised elements that are likely ornaments.
The figure is one of the important transitional sculptures of the later Olmec style as seen in the Guerrero and Puebla regions, where the Olmec style ultimately influenced later Teotihuacan stone figures.
For a related figure from the Miguel Covarrubias collection in the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City (inv no. 09.0-01744; INAH inv. no. 10-2562), see S.K. Lothrop, Treasures of Ancient America, Geneva, 1964, p.43. Also see the smaller serpentine figure of related form from the Guerrero region illustrated in Michael D. Coe, ed., The Olmec World: Ritual and Rulership, Princeton, 1996, p. 303, cat. no. 217.
The lustrous green-brown serpentine is carved with emphasis on the large head and long torso, nearly equal in proportions. The musculature of the strong arms, legs and shoulders complement the fully modeled parted lips, flared nostrils, and the large and deeply recessed eyes which are highlighted by thin incised brows. It is notable that the facial features associated with the important senses of sight, sound and voice are prominently sculpted, as is the genitalia shown beneath a smooth loincloth.
The tall cylindrical headdress is an important accoutrement indicating "temporal or religious authority or identified with a particular clan or person" (ibid., p. 244). The prominent ears projecting from the side might be attachments to the headdress, and the wrists and ankles show raised elements that are likely ornaments.
The figure is one of the important transitional sculptures of the later Olmec style as seen in the Guerrero and Puebla regions, where the Olmec style ultimately influenced later Teotihuacan stone figures.
For a related figure from the Miguel Covarrubias collection in the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City (inv no. 09.0-01744; INAH inv. no. 10-2562), see S.K. Lothrop, Treasures of Ancient America, Geneva, 1964, p.43. Also see the smaller serpentine figure of related form from the Guerrero region illustrated in Michael D. Coe, ed., The Olmec World: Ritual and Rulership, Princeton, 1996, p. 303, cat. no. 217.