Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A finely carved, near miniature, greenstone were-jaguar head. Its face has classic Olmec features including an elongated head, a jowly "babyface" visage with a downturned, jaguar-like mouth, almond-shaped eyes, and a caplike coiffure. It seems likely that the flattened and elongated heads of these figures are indicative of the artificial cranial deformation practiced by the Olmec. Transformative figures taking on the fierce and unwieldy power of the jaguar are some of the most evocative and interesting figures from this culture, representing belief in a magical world inhabited by shapeshifting shamans. Size: 0.85" W x 1.6" H (2.2 cm x 4.1 cm)

Provenance: private Lexington, Kentucky, USA collection; ex-Dr. Robert Gonzalo collection, acquired in the 1960s

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#131773

  • Condition: One side of head is repaired. Ancient losses around edges, especially low on one side of neck. Weathered surface commensurate with age.

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May 10, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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