Lot 93D
Pre-Columbian, Veracruz, ca. 100 BCE to 800 CE. This is a hollow 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 (known as Remojadas for its keystone archaeological site). Like this one, they depict wide, smiling, childlike faces, often with teeth showing. Atop his head is an elaborate headdress with glyph-like geometric symbols. Smiling faces are very rare in Mesoamerican art, but in Remojadas and the surrounding area, there are thousands of these Sonrientes 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. Custom stand included. Size of head itself: 6 W x 5 H (15 cm x 13 cm).
Provenance: Ex-private Hooper collection, CA, acquired via family descent
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#110587
- Condition: Expected chipping and wear; there are also small white marks and some scorch marks near the top. The artwork is very clear and all the features intact.
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