Description:

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Valdivian people, Earliest Horizon, ca. 2300 to 2000 BCE. An abstract human figure in the shape of a horn or long canine tooth, with the figure's features string cut and drilled out of a white chalky stone. The figure has a triangular face and long arms that come to hands meeting at the stomach; above the hands is a drilled hole that may represent the navel. Comes with custom stand. Size: 1.1" W x 4.4" H (2.8 cm x 11.2 cm)

The Valdivian culture is the first in Ecuador that began to depict representations of the body. In this new phase in ancient Ecuadorian society, status and different occupations for individuals suddenly became important to show artistically - suggesting that this was the period when their culture began to stratify and become culturally complex, with individuals in the society having specialized roles like shaman. This fantastic figure stands on its own as a work of art but also reminds us of exciting developments in a long-lost world.

Provenance: Ex-Private New York Collection, ex southwest collection

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#119545

  • Condition: Small chip from back top of head; small chip from one side near arms; some gentle surface weathering.

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January 19, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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