Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico, Guerrero region, Mezcala (Balsas) culture, ca. 700 to 200 BCE. A fascinating stone death mask hand-carved and drilled to create a minimalistic but expressive face. The visage consists of linear drilled eyes set in recessed sockets, the inner pupils may have once held shell or some other decorative material. The mouth is a linear groove, and the nose is broad and may have originally protruded outward from the surface. Around the peripheries are deep bore holes that perhaps also contained inlays of shells or stones. After shaping the artisan finished the surface by smoothing and polishing. Scholars believe that such masks were tied to funerary bundles of the noble elite to be buried with the deceased to mark their passing and give them identity in the grave. Outside the grave, the dead were sometimes represented in art merely by a mask, or a mask set upon a small pyramid. Size: 6" L x 1" W x 5" H (15.2 cm x 2.5 cm x 12.7 cm)

Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection; ex-Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, Thomaston, Maine, USA, June 1st, 2019, Lot # 2436

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#170736

Old losses as shown. Surface abrasions and chips to face. Some softening of details. Smooth surface patina. Old collection label on verso.