Veracruz Stone Head Hacha Late Classic, circa AD 550-950

Miguel Covarrubias, Mexico City
Rosa Covarrubias, Mexico City, by descent from the above
Private Collection, acquired from the above in 1963

The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, long term loan, 2002 - 2010

Excellent condition overall. No major breaks or repairs. Only has old minor chip to the bridge of the nose and a small old chip on the crest as visible in catalogue illustration. Otherwise excellent, nice, classic patina and colouring.
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.

The well sculpted, high smooth cheekbones on this sculpture are a distinguishing feature that identifies a singular style of the hacha genre. On this example the cheekbones are full and rounded, sloping into the narrow chin. The rimmed oval eyes are surmounted by a prominent raised brow curving onto the temples. These well carved features portray distinctly different auras when viewed from the profile and side. The tranquil profile transforms to a forceful, intense expression when viewed frontally, with wide flared nostrils, broad mouth, and narrowed eyes. The brows flare out above the eyes in a hooded, brim-like form and the long and detailed ears frame the face accentuating the overall elongated shape of the head.

Hachas, and accompanying ballgame palmas are totally unstable sculptures on their own, and thus are carved with either a notched, tenoned or square back for support. The tenon at the back of this head would have been inserted either on a ceremonial yoke, or possibly into an architectural setting, allowing the head and face to appear completely independent and would have essentially 'overseen" the action of the ballgame. 

For the facial style, see Parsons et al., The Face of Ancient America: the Wally and Brenda Zollman Collection of Precolumbian Art, Indianapolis, 1988, p. 163, fig. 110, for a hacha from the Pacific Coast region; for a similar tenoned hacha from the Chiapas region recorded in the 1950s, see Shook and Marquis, Secrets in Stone: Yokes, Hachas and Palmas from Southern Mesoamerica, Philadelphia, 1996, p. 122, cat. no. H65, and also cat. nos. H63 and H64 for the type.