Description:

Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz, Remojadas, ca. 600 to 900 CE. A charming pottery "Sonriente" head from the Veracruz region of Gulf Coast Mexico. Sonrientes, or "smiling faces," are the most famous pottery from this period in Veracruz, and, like this one, they depict wide, grinning, childlike faces, often with teeth showing. Atop the head is an elaborate headdress with glyph-like scrolling and comb-like symbols. Smiling faces are very rare in Mesoamerican art, but in Remojadas and the surrounding area, there are thousands of these sonriente figures, leading to a mystery for archaeologists. Some have suggested that the smiles are the result of consuming the alcoholic beverage pulque or taking hallucinogenic drugs; others see them as representing performers. Size: 5.3" W x 5.5" H (13.5 cm x 14 cm); 7.8" H (19.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Fred Pine estate, New York City, New York, USA, 1990s

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#173930

  • Condition: Fragment of a larger piece. Professionally repaired with restoration and some repainting. Light surface wear with some abrasions. Otherwise, very nice with great remaining detail.

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October 20, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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