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LOT 2411
Pre-Columbian Mexican Michoacan Standing Figure
300-100 B.C.
9 in. (527 grams total, 23 cm high including stand).
Modelled in the half-round as a nude female, wearing arm bangles and an ornamental collar; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceEx Alan Cherry, Bournemouth, UK.
Acquired in the 1990s.
From a Norfolk, UK, private collection.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 1979.206.1067, for a comparable figure; see Taube, K., The Albers Collection of Pre Columbian Art, Hudson Hills Press, New York, 1988, pp. 54-55, for a range of similar examples.
FootnotesThis is a large example of the figurines of ancient Michoacan. These sculptures were made in abundance during the pre classic period and were likely crafted for personal use as votive figures. As with this example, these sculptures are renowned for showing details of necklaces and other adornment of the period.
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AUCTIONS:
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Mesoamerican Aztec Jadeite Seated Figure with Offering Bowls
10th-early 16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £10,400
Seated male figure with legs crossed, arms bent, hands placed in an advanced position each offering a cup; bracelets on the upper arms; ceremonial headdress, round lobed earrings, the body covered only by a fringed loincloth, or ehuatl. 5.85 kg, 30 cm
From an Italian collector living in Torino, Canada. Part of her family's collection, 1965. By descent from her grandmother, 1993. Private collection, England. Accompanied by a copy of the Italian cultural export permit. Accompanied by a signed academic report by Emilio J. Bejarano Erosa (Director of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología E Historia, Mexico, 1968-1982). Accompanied by scholarly note TL5340 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10287-168435.
The Aztecs' capital city, Tenochtitlan, established in the 14th century, was located on the present-day site of Mexico City. -
Pre-Columbian Nazca Terracotta Vessel with Mythical Creature
100-700 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
Biconical vessel with conical underside and domed upper, two vertical spouts to the centre with flat-section bar between, painted frieze of creatures to the shoulder including severed heads. 713 grams, 18.5 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The depiction of severed heads being held by mythical creatures as trophies reflects a society where warfare was commonplace and celebrated through art. -
Pre-Columbian Peruvian Burnished Black Pot with Frogs
11th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Squat in profile with trumpet-shaped mouth, lateral pierced lugs each formed as the head and foreparts of a frog modelled in the half-round. 605 grams, 15 cm high
Acquired in the 1970s. Ex Nicolas Cuppy, UK. Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman.