Preclassic Seated Figure

Frank Elmer, New York

William B. Jaffe and Evelyn Annenberg Jaffe Hall, New York, acquired from the above on January 2, 1969

Thence by descent to the present owner

The robust and compact form of this enigmatic figure emerges from a speckled jadeite cobble. The crossed arm gesture with the fingers splayed on the upper arms is a characteristic of larger stone Guerrero peg-form figures. The large stone Post Olmec ‘potbelly’ figures from the Escuintla and Southern Highland regions also show similarities to this portable figure. The uplifted face is carved in detail with large rimmed eyes, rounded pupils, and full lips in an Olmecoid style. It wears a segmented headband with a small central medallion. 

For the stone potbelly figures, see Lee A. Parsons, “Post-Olmec Stone Sculpture”, in Elizabeth P. Benson, ed., The Olmec and Their Neighbors, Washington, D.C., 1981, pp. 283-287, particularly fig. 44.