Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Oaxaca, Guerrero, or Puebla, Mixtec, Post-Classic period, ca. 1200 to 1520 CE. A fine head of a penate, hand-carved from a mottled pale-green stone with dark inclusions. The face displays a nicely-detailed visage comprised of coffee-bean-shaped eyes, a wide triangular nose, a pronounced mouth with full lips, and an incised brow line, all formed in low relief through the meticulous string-cutting technique. The face is mounted inside four paw-shaped bars with delineated toes stemming from a twin-looped 12K gold ring. The Mixtecos created small sculptures called "penates" to represent family ancestors, though they were also worn on necklaces as pendants by members of noble houses as a symbol of royal lineage. A beautiful and wearable piece! Amethyst fragment for photography purposes only. Size (pendant): 0.9" W x 1.125" H (2.3 cm x 2.9 cm); gold quality: 12K; total weight: 22 grams; US ring size 7.

Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection

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#135872

Ring stamped with "14K" on inside of band, though testing determined the gold is of 12K quality. Pendant has surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age, small loss to back of head, and fading to some finer facial features. Ring has small area of repair to bottom of band.