Description:

Mezcala, Guerrero, Mexico, ca. 300 BCE. A classic Mezcala anthropomorphic figure, carved in a highly abstracted geometric style from mottled greenstone. The figure stands upright with block-like proportions, squared legs, and truncated arms indicated by incised diagonal grooves. The head is oval with a flat crown and minimal facial features — the mouth suggested by a simple groove, and the eyes left blank, enhancing the stark and timeless quality. The Mezcala tradition of Guerrero is renowned for its austere and abstract figural sculptures, often deposited as ritual offerings in burials or temples. Their minimalist design anticipates modernist aesthetics, giving them enduring appeal among collectors of both Pre-Columbian and contemporary art. Figures like this one were sacred embodiments of ancestors or deities, carved from greenstone to emphasize fertility, life force, and enduring vitality. Size: 1.875" W x 4.25" H (4.8 cm x 10.8 cm) - Stand shown in photos not included.

Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005

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#196189

  • Condition: Areas of wear at crown of head else intact and excellent.

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December 5, 2025 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$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