Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico, Guerrero region, Mezcala culture, ca. 400 to 100 BCE; Central America, Costa Rica, Central Highlands, Atlantic Watershed, ca. 1000 to 1400 CE. Three striking carved and string-cut Mezcala stone figural amulets and pendants, and a basalt Costa Rican shaman figure crouching in a seated position. The greenstone head with dark and light green inclusions, and a paler greenstone head with partially drilled eyes and a protruding nose and mouth are both perforated at the upper end for suspension or attachment. The standing figure carved from a stone of blue-green hues with cinnabar embellishing the recessed areas may have functioned as an amulet or idol. The large shaman figure sits with folded arms upon upraised knees, legs slightly parted, and feet firmly on the ground, which here is an integrated, disk-shaped base. His head is detailed with bold facial features and a cap or headdress. Size (shaman): 3.5" W x 7.65" H (8.9 cm x 19.4 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery; (Mezcala figures): ex-private Stagecoach, Nevada, USA collection; acquired from 1985 to present from galleries such as Arte Primitivo, Art For Eternity, Butterfields, and Riverbend Gallery; (Costa Rican figure): ex-private H. Berk collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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#172341

  • Condition: Surface of basalt shaman is weathered. Small ink marks on surface, notably some red on the face and an old collection number on the underside. Repair to Mezcala figure head. All are generally excellent with normal surface wear commensurate with age.

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August 18, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000