Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1667
Pre-Columbian Olmec Style Amethyst Head
20TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER
5 1/4 in. (1.1 kg, 13 cm high).
An amethyst head or mask carved in the half-round with semi-naturalistic facial features, in the Olmec style; four holes drilled to edges; shallow recess to reverse.
Provenance
Estate sale of a head of archaeology at Tulane University, U.S.A., pre 1990s.
Ex Tooveys, West Sussex, UK, 2019.
Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher.
Literature
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 1977.187.33, for similar.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Prehispanic Nayarit Seated Figure
100 B.C.-200 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £176
A ceramic figure of a squatting male with the arms folded round the knees, mouth opened to form a spout and top of head open to form a socket, banded decoration to the body. 234 grams, 12.2 cm high
Acquired in the 1990s. English private collection.
This seated figure appears to be speaking or in song. The flared cheeks may also represent ritual piercing of the mouth, a unique feature of the art of ancient West Mexico and displayed on some Nayarit sculptures. -
Prehispanic Peruvian Inca Stone Ritual Vessel
6th-9th century A.D. or laterEstimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,000
A carved stone offering bowl with squat body and slightly rounded base, two integral semi-circular D-section handles to the equator, alternating with coiled snakes with heads resting on the rim in relief. 6.7 kg, 36 cm wide
with Throckmorton Fine Arts. English private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11721-199829. -
Prehispanic Painted Bowl
Early 16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
A carinated ceramic bowl with short neck, everted rim and rounded base, densely painted geometric motifs to the rim interior and upper body; stylised human face or 'mask' incised to the underside. 904 grams, 22 cm wide
Ex S.A.R. La Principessa Reale Maria Beatrice Di Savoia. with Christie's, London, 22 April 2005. English private collection
