Lot 162
Veracruz Pottery Sonriente Head - Smiling Figure
Veracruz Pottery Sonriente Head - Smiling Figure
Starting Bid: $300
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Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast Mexico, Veracruz, ca. 600 to 900 CE. A lively and engaging pottery head from the Veracruz culture, part of the tradition of sonrientes, or "smiling figures." The broad face is modeled with almond-shaped eyes, a wide nose, and a broad open mouth that reveals a joyful grin, giving the sculpture its name. The cheerful visage is crowned with a tall headdress intricately incised with abstract motifs, likely alluding to ceremonial costume or ritual symbolism. Pierced holes along the sides may have secured the head to a full-bodied figure or allowed for additional adornment. Formed from reddish terracotta with a smooth burnished surface, this example radiates warmth and vitality even in fragmentary form. Mounted on a modern display stand, it captures the infectious joy of ancient Veracruz artistry and preserves the timeless humanity of a smile across more than a millennium. Size: 3.3" L x 6.5" W x 5" H (8.4 cm x 16.5 cm x 12.7 cm); 8" H (20.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Sonrientes are among the most iconic forms of Veracruz art, widely admired for their animated expressions and rarity in Mesoamerican sculpture. Scholars interpret them as representations of dancers, celebrants, or ritual clowns, embodying themes of festivity, fertility, and spiritual renewal. Their broad smiles and lively faces stand in marked contrast to the more solemn imagery of contemporaneous cultures, suggesting a uniquely Veracruzian aesthetic of play and performance.
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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#197094
- Condition: Fragment of a larger figure as shown with light surface wear, but, otherwise, nice presentation with good remaining detail.
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| 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 |