- 17
Chontal stone face panel, Late Preclassic, ca. 300-100 B.C.
Estimate
40,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description
- Stone, metal, wood
- Height: 6 1/2 in (16.5 cm)
depicting a transformative state by incorporting ophidian features with the symmetrically opposed arching snakes on the nose, each serpent with large circular eyes and textured skin similar to the Mexican coral snake, the face with large pecked eyes possibly once inlaid, and the ears adorned with ornaments; in variegated white and gray calcite with traces of red pigment, pierced at the temples.
Provenance
Carlo Gay
Vicomte and Vicomtesse Ilya Prigogine, (Sotheby's, New York, May 19, 2001, lot 476)
Exhibited
New York, Guerrero, Stone Sculpture from the State of Guerrero, Mexico, Finch College Museum of Art, opening May 18, 1965, no. 201, illus.
Literature
Carlo T.E. Gay, Ancient Ritual Stone Artifacts, Mexico-Guatemala-Costa Rica, Académie Royale de Belgique, 1995, no. 104, illus.
Carlo and Robin Gay, Chontal, Ancient Stone Sculpture from Guerrero, Mexico, Geneva, 2001, Pl. 122
Condition
Overall excellent only has one old clean break, arching vertically from the top right side curving down to the lower right side below ear as seen looking at mask. Otherwise fine nice carving and good remains of red as described.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
The serpent is able to transverse the upper and lower worlds, and their seasonal shedding associates them to rebirth and renewal. This mask appears to be a unique example of serpents forming the nose (Gay 1995:141); see also Gay and Gay (2001: pl. 121.