Chupícuaro Polychrome Mask Late Preclassic, ca. 300-100 B.C.

the evocative and stylized face of shallow oval form with pierced eyes, the graphically opened mouth showing tiny teeth behind curving lips, zigzag concentric lines highlighting the chin and bridge of the nose perhaps indicating voice and breath, small ears, and decorated overall with the stepped cross motif forming bisected sections around the perimeter.

Irene Marinovich, Michigan, acquired during the 1960-1970's

Overall excellent, very slight crack on lower PL corner of cheek, otherwise fine. Great modeling and color.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Masks are a rare category within the Chupícuaro style; this fine example is one of a very small corpus known- the others are in private collections. All are nearly life-size, show pierced facial features and supension holes as if ready for ceremonial use in life or the hereafter. For other masks, see Townsend (1998:288, cat. nos. 167 and 168) and Sotheby's, New York, May 28, 1997, lot 124.
The distinctive and consistent iconography of the Chupícuaro style attests to the sophisticated ceramic tradition of well established communities which had contact with larger Early Preclassic complex societies in the Valley of Mexico and Teotihuacan region (Townsend 1998:117).