** A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this artwork will be donated to the Anthony Quinn Foundation, whose mission is to advocate for the important role arts education plays in personal development and in the overall improvement of social, economic and cultural systems. Learn more at aqfoundation.org **

Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico, Guerrero region, Mezcala culture, ca. 600 to 200 BCE. A substantial example of a hand-carved stone anthropomorphic figure of characteristically abstract form presenting in a standing pose atop a pair of separated legs. The rigid figure exhibits string-cut grooves that delineate the arms, legs, and neckline from the rest of the body. The enormous conical head bears a pair of string-cut eyes above a flush nose, a broad mouth, and flush cheeks, all beneath a conical skullcap. An intact and wonderful effigy figure from the ancient Mezcala! Size: 3.75" W x 12.4" H (9.5 cm x 31.5 cm); 13.5" H (34.3 cm) on included custom stand.

The Mezcala sculptors brilliantly used string-saw technology to differentiate facial features and limbs. The ancient artisans of this region were particularly adept at reducing the human body to simple, eloquent forms via this string cut technique. The result ironically appeals to a modernist taste for minimalism. Mezcala sculptural works are equally appealing for the inherent beauty of the stone selected by the ancients.

Published in "Anthony Quinn's Eye: A Lifetime of Creating and Collecting Art" by Donald Kuspit, Jay Parini, and Tom Roberts (Bristol, Rhode Island: Bristol House Press, 2004), page 61.

Provenance: ex-private collection of actor Anthony Quinn and his wife Katherine, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA acquired prior to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#169230

Repair to large portion of proper right side of body from top of head down to wrist of right arm, with resurfacing and very light adhesive residue along break lines. Abrasions and encrustations across most areas, with softening to some finer details particularly on face. Great preservation to overall figural form and nice earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label on verso.