Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Guerrero region, Mezcala/Chontal, ca. 800 to 400 BCE. Superb early stone carving showing strong Guerrero / Chontal style along with a distinct Olmecoid treatment of the nose and mouth. Clearly shows there was trading of goods and artistic styles during this period. Hand-carved and string-cut from a gorgeous mottled black and gray stone. Figure stands with hands to his sides, feet below slightly bent knees with delineated toes, short rounded penis. His head is exaggeratedly large in comparison to the body with large Olmecoid open mouth and large lips, heavily sloped nose and heavy brows. Size: 5.5" W x 12.875" H (14 cm x 32.7 cm)

The Guerrero region of modern-day southwestern Mexico was the center of the Chontal stone carving tradition. Chontal sculptors imbued their artworks with a greater sense of naturalism than to their Mezcala counterparts, though they still adhered to a minimalist aesthetic when creating anthropomorphic pieces. In this case their somewhat close proximity to Morelos leads one to believe the works of the Olmec influenced this carver - or possibly vice vera.

Provenance: ex-Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA; ex-Rafael Garcia collection, Texas, USA, acquired 1980s (d. 1992), by descent to his grandson

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#175544

Loss to edge of right proper earlobe to exterior of earring hole, surface deposits and light staining. Repaired (almost invisibly) break across right eye, bridge of nose to left eyebrow and to back of head. Old chip on right elbow.