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LOT 2422
Prehispanic Olmec Jade Mask
900-400 B.C. OR LATER
6 7/8 in. (557 grams total, 17.6 cm including stand).
A striated green stone head or mask carved in the half-round with semi-naturalistic facial features, in the Olmec style; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
Provenancewith Throckmorton Fine Arts, 1990s.
Private collection, England.
See Coe, D., The Olmec World, Ritual and Rulership, The Princeton University, Harry Abrams, 1996, p. 250.
FootnotesThis fine maskette displays the classical features of Olmec Art. The eyes are feline and mouth slightly open, representing the snarl of the Jaguar, a revered animal to the ancient Olmec. This face likely depicts the ideal Olmec ruler rather than portrait of an individual and would have been made for important ceremony or individual of high rank.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Pre-Columbian Nazca Terracotta Bowl With Arrow Design
4th-6th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £247
'Bell-shaped' bowl with rounded base, the exterior decorated with a polychrome geometric scheme including arrows, circumferential bands and quartered panels. 263 grams, 15 cm
Private U.K. family collection formed in the early 1970s. The property of Mr and Mrs P.R. of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. -
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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. -
Large Pre-Columbian Colima Seated Shaman Vessel
Mexico, Protoclassic Period, circa 100 B.C.-250 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Red ware, hollow-formed and modelled in the round, seated figure with horn to the brow and pierced ears, incised decoration to the midriff, pouring spout to rear of head. 1.9 kg, 36.5 cm
with Bonhams, London, 24 May 2016, lot 21. Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, gentleman.
Holding a throwing stone in one hand and facing an unseen danger to his left as was tradition. This seated figure can be identified as a tomb guardian with the horn on his head marking him as a shaman or with magical powers. His purpose was to serve and protect the deceased in the afterlife. The Colima culture produced the greatest variety of sculpture across ancient West Mexico.
