Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A brownware face mask with large ovoid eyes set close together, an open, upwardly-curving mouth, and a prominent beak-like nose. The face is slightly recessed below long eyebrows. In addition to pierced ears, there is one perforation through the forehead and one through the chin, presumably for attaching ornaments or sewing it onto a larger costume. 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: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex G. Ford, Brooklyn, New York, USA collection

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#129649

One area of restoration on the upper part of the forehead; this is almost impossible to see. Otherwise in beautiful condition with light deposits and a few remains of earthy red pigment.