1 / 5
Premium MILLON
88
-
Cult mask of a dignitary with inward gaze
Pale green limesto…
See original version (French)
88
-
Cult mask of a dignitary with inward gaze
Pale green limesto…
See original version (French)
Estimate €40,000 - €70,000
Voluntary lot
Description
Cult mask of a dignitary
with inward gaze
Pale green limestone with a slightly shiny polished surface, old oxidation localised around the eyes, scattered traces of manganese. Slight filling on the left side
Teotihuacan, Valley of Mexico, Classical period, AD 450-650
15.4 × 17 cm
Provenance :
former Allan Long collection, New York (collection built up ca. 1970-1990); Galerie Art des Amériques, Paris; Alain Castor - Laurent Hara sale, Drouot-Richelieu, Paris, 12 December 2011, lot 167.
Export certificate for a cultural object, 26 January 2012.
This pale green limestone mask is one of the most accomplished expressions of Teotihuacan art, in which the representation of the human face achieves a form of formal perfection based on balance and moderation. The deep-set almond-shaped eyes, with their outstretched lids, give the gaze an interiorised intensity of rare power. The clearly defined arches of the eyebrows give structure to the broad, receding forehead, while the short, slightly arched nose, with its pierced conical nostrils, asserts a physical presence without ostentation. The mouth, with its full lips and subtle smile, conveys a state of plenitude and inner mastery. The polished, slightly shiny surface, the old oxidation around the eyes and the scattered traces of manganese bear witness to age and prolonged use, giving this work an extra depth that only time can produce.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like