**Originally Listed At $250**

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Jamacoaque (Jama Coaque) culture, ca. 500 CE. A pottery maskette with what appears to the modern eye to be a leering grin but was actually a commonly depicted facial expression for this culture, who are known for their advanced mold-made pottery. The cheeks are high and the well-formed nose wears a bulbous ring. The ears are small and tilt forward, outlined in a similar manner to the eyes and mouth. At the top of the nose is another bulbous piece of jewelry, perhaps indicating an additional piercing. There are remains of red and orange pigment on the surface, and a single hole drilled low on the chin, perhaps for hanging it from something to display it. Other Jamacoaque terracotta figures indicate that this mask was probably based on an individual, but it may have been something like a death mask (hence, the sunken look). Size: 4.7" W x 3.9" H (11.9 cm x 9.9 cm)

Provenance: private Texas, USA collection

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#123545

Intact, with interesting cloth pattern on inside (like it was molded against a woven textile).