Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A red terracotta face mask presenting an abstract visage comprised of large recessed ovoid eyes, an open mouth, and a prominent curved nose. In addition to pierced ears, there are three perforations around the forehead, presumably for attaching ornaments in the past. The Colima culture, part of the West Mexican shaft tomb tradition, is known today almost exclusively for its small clay figures that were placed inside of deep shaft tombs. In very rare instances, masks like this were also placed inside of tombs -- interpreted by archaeologists as belonging to elites. These special objects were made of materials that had often been traded over long distances. These rare Colima masks are known for their round eyes and small mouths, as well as the T-shape created by raised eyebrows and nose. Size: 6.625" W x 8.125" H (16.8 cm x 20.6 cm)

Provenance: ex Albert Stendahl, owner of Stendahl Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#126866

Intact with liberal manganese deposits.