103
Important Olmec Stone Seated Figure of a Child
1/5
Description
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Olmec culture, ca. 1200 to 800 BCE. An incredibly rare, lifelike portrayal of a human figure, probably a child based on its delightful, pudgy face, hand-carved from dark grey volcanic stone. The child sits with its legs crossed, its hands resting on its knees, and its torso erect. The fingers, toes, and musculature of the torso are nicely carved. The face is classically Olmec, with a large forehead, almond-shaped eyes, a wide nose, and large-lipped mouth. Small teeth are visible between the slightly parted lips. Deep lines are incised into the head to create eyebrows, giving the impression that the child is scowling. Ears are carved on either side of the head. The hollow eyes likely once had an inlay, perhaps of shell, and based on similar known sculptures, the entire child was probably once painted white with red details. Size: 9.7" W x 15" H (24.6 cm x 38.1 cm)
The Olmec are the ancestors of all Mesoamerican civilizations, and their artistic style, practiced in the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico and diffused outward through extensive trade networks that stretched into northern Mexico and central America, was inspirational for those who came after. The Olmec style became synonymous with elite status in the highlands. They created enormous stone heads, probably the first thing many of us think of when we remember the Olmec, but they also made more easily transportable figures like this one. Many of these portrayals are of children or infants, but their meaning remains a complete mystery. Based on a few known sculptures and the much later Maya practice of referring to young people as "ch'ok", referring to a maize sprout, there seems to have been a symbolic connection between children and the sprouting of the harvest. Roughly life-sized figures like this one may also have been stand-ins for actual children who were ritually sacrificed to bring on that harvest. For example, at the El Manati archaeological site in Mexico, the remains of several infants were found with wooden busts of children with similar facial expressions to the better-known stone and ceramic representations. This stone example was probably placed into a tomb.
Accompanied by a Preusser analysis from 2010 that concludes that it is indeed ancient - that there is nothing about the piece to suggest it is not of the correct age.
Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s
Condition: Intact, although there may be a small repair on one ear - but if so, it is incredibly well done and difficult to see. With a weathered surface and rich, dark patina commensurate with age and handling.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#144326
The Olmec are the ancestors of all Mesoamerican civilizations, and their artistic style, practiced in the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico and diffused outward through extensive trade networks that stretched into northern Mexico and central America, was inspirational for those who came after. The Olmec style became synonymous with elite status in the highlands. They created enormous stone heads, probably the first thing many of us think of when we remember the Olmec, but they also made more easily transportable figures like this one. Many of these portrayals are of children or infants, but their meaning remains a complete mystery. Based on a few known sculptures and the much later Maya practice of referring to young people as "ch'ok", referring to a maize sprout, there seems to have been a symbolic connection between children and the sprouting of the harvest. Roughly life-sized figures like this one may also have been stand-ins for actual children who were ritually sacrificed to bring on that harvest. For example, at the El Manati archaeological site in Mexico, the remains of several infants were found with wooden busts of children with similar facial expressions to the better-known stone and ceramic representations. This stone example was probably placed into a tomb.
Accompanied by a Preusser analysis from 2010 that concludes that it is indeed ancient - that there is nothing about the piece to suggest it is not of the correct age.
Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s
Condition: Intact, although there may be a small repair on one ear - but if so, it is incredibly well done and difficult to see. With a weathered surface and rich, dark patina commensurate with age and handling.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#144326
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Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Olmec culture, ca. 1200 to 800 BCE. An incredibly rare, lifelike portrayal of a human figure, probably a child based on its delightful, pudgy face, hand-carved from dark grey volcanic stone. The child sits with its legs crossed, its hands resting on its knees, and its torso erect. The fingers, toes, and musculature of the torso are nicely carved. The face is classically Olmec, with a large forehead, almond-shaped eyes, a wide nose, and large-lipped mouth. Small teeth are visible between the slightly parted lips. Deep lines are incised into the head to create eyebrows, giving the impression that the child is scowling. Ears are carved on either side of the head. The hollow eyes likely once had an inlay, perhaps of shell, and based on similar known sculptures, the entire child was probably once painted white with red details. Size: 9.7" W x 15" H (24.6 cm x 38.1 cm)
The Olmec are the ancestors of all Mesoamerican civilizations, and their artistic style, practiced in the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico and diffused outward through extensive trade networks that stretched into northern Mexico and central America, was inspirational for those who came after. The Olmec style became synonymous with elite status in the highlands. They created enormous stone heads, probably the first thing many of us think of when we remember the Olmec, but they also made more easily transportable figures like this one. Many of these portrayals are of children or infants, but their meaning remains a complete mystery. Based on a few known sculptures and the much later Maya practice of referring to young people as "ch'ok", referring to a maize sprout, there seems to have been a symbolic connection between children and the sprouting of the harvest. Roughly life-sized figures like this one may also have been stand-ins for actual children who were ritually sacrificed to bring on that harvest. For example, at the El Manati archaeological site in Mexico, the remains of several infants were found with wooden busts of children with similar facial expressions to the better-known stone and ceramic representations. This stone example was probably placed into a tomb.
Accompanied by a Preusser analysis from 2010 that concludes that it is indeed ancient - that there is nothing about the piece to suggest it is not of the correct age.
Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s
Condition: Intact, although there may be a small repair on one ear - but if so, it is incredibly well done and difficult to see. With a weathered surface and rich, dark patina commensurate with age and handling.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#144326
The Olmec are the ancestors of all Mesoamerican civilizations, and their artistic style, practiced in the tropical lowlands of south central Mexico and diffused outward through extensive trade networks that stretched into northern Mexico and central America, was inspirational for those who came after. The Olmec style became synonymous with elite status in the highlands. They created enormous stone heads, probably the first thing many of us think of when we remember the Olmec, but they also made more easily transportable figures like this one. Many of these portrayals are of children or infants, but their meaning remains a complete mystery. Based on a few known sculptures and the much later Maya practice of referring to young people as "ch'ok", referring to a maize sprout, there seems to have been a symbolic connection between children and the sprouting of the harvest. Roughly life-sized figures like this one may also have been stand-ins for actual children who were ritually sacrificed to bring on that harvest. For example, at the El Manati archaeological site in Mexico, the remains of several infants were found with wooden busts of children with similar facial expressions to the better-known stone and ceramic representations. This stone example was probably placed into a tomb.
Accompanied by a Preusser analysis from 2010 that concludes that it is indeed ancient - that there is nothing about the piece to suggest it is not of the correct age.
Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s
Condition: Intact, although there may be a small repair on one ear - but if so, it is incredibly well done and difficult to see. With a weathered surface and rich, dark patina commensurate with age and handling.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#144326
Exceptional Day 2 Ethnographic Tribal Fossils
Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
686 S Taylor Ave
Ste 106
Boulder
Colorado
80027
United States
For Artemis Gallery delivery information please telephone +1 7208907700.
Important Information
Day 2 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional ethnographic art from around the world. Today's sale will feature Pre-Columbian from the ancient americas, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, and incredible Fossils.
Terms & Conditions
Please read the following "Terms of Sale" carefully. Your submission of bids in this auction constitutes your acceptance of these "Terms of Sale." 1. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. 2. By bidding in this auction, the bidder personally guarantees payment. The auctioneer has final discretion in all matters. In case of dispute, the lot(s) in question may be resold. Lots will be sold in their numerical sequence unless the auctioneer directs otherwise. 3. HIGH and LOW ESTIMATES are provided for each lot for reference only. The actual selling / hammer price may be higher or lower based on bidder demand. All lots will sell to the highest bidder without hidden / confidential reserves. 4. No lots will be released / shipped until payment has been made in full. Payment (in U.S. funds) may be made via personal check or money order, via credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover), PayPal or Bank Wire Transfer. For PayPal payments please use "artemisgallery@gmail.com" email address for processing payments. 5. BUYER'S PREMIUM: A 24.5% Buyer's Premium will be added to the final price of each lot purchased through Artemis Gallery and will be paid by all bidders without exception. 6. CO SALES TAX: Appropriate Colorado Sales Tax will be added to all invoices, unless a valid CO seller's permit is on file with Artemis Gallery/Artemis Gallery Live prior to any bidding in the auction. Items shipped outside of CO (United States or international) are also sales tax exempt. 7. RETURN POLICY: In the event of an authenticity dispute, written notification of the dispute must be provided to Artemis Gallery within two business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. After Artemis Gallery is notified of the dispute, a written letter from a recognized expert in the field pertaining to the item in dispute must then be presented. If Artemis Gallery concludes that the assessment of the piece is accurate, a full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Gallery will either provide a pre-paid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Gallery will only remit refund after the item has been returned. In the event of an error in item description, condition report, provenance, or dimensions, written notification of the error must be given within two business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. A full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Gallery will either provide a pre-paid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Gallery will only remit refund after the item has been returned. If a return is requested for any reason other than the above, written notification with reason for return must be given within 15 days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data for Artemis Gallery to issue a refund to the original payment method. If notification is given after 15 days, the item may be returned for credit toward a future purchase or may be consigned for sale through Artemis Gallery. The item must be returned to Artemis Gallery at the buyer's expense and a refund or credit of the item price and buyer's premium (if applicable) will be provided after the item is returned. Original shipping charges will not be refunded. All items to be returned must be adequately insured and must be received by Artemis Gallery in the same condition as when shipped. In no event may any item be returned after 90 days from the date of delivery. 8. SHIPPING: As a convenience to our buyers, shipping is handled in-house. All buyers will receive an invoice detailing their purchases, sales tax (if applicable), buyer's premium, and shipping/insurance charges. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. **For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Gallery will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. There are a small number of international countries we cannot ship to. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding** 9. REQUEST TO DELAY SHIPPING FOR LOTS WON: We are happy to delay shipping on all paid lots for up to 30 days with no storage fees. After 30 days, storage fees will accrue based on a 2% of invoice total. 10. In the event a successful bidder fails to make payment when due, Artemis Gallery reserves the right to re-sell the merchandise and bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable cost of such a sale and to pay any difference between the resale price and the previously successful bid, together with any incidental costs of sale and disbursements. 11. If the auction invoice is not paid for in full when due per invoice terms, including any applicable credit card processing fees, the unpaid balance will bear interest at the highest rate permitted by law until paid in full. If the matter is referred to an attorney for collection, bidder agrees to pay all reasonable attorney fees, court costs and other collection cost incurred by Artemis Gallery to collect past due invoices and that the services of process by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, shall be sufficient to confer "in personam" jurisdiction over bidder. 12. Buyer agrees that any claim of controversy arising out of, or relating to the formation, interpretation of performance of these terms and underlying transactions or the breach thereof, is subject to arbitration or judicial proceedings and shall take place within the County of Boulder, CO subject to the laws of the State of Colorado. 13. QUESTIONS? Feel free to email us at info@artemisgallery.com with questions prior to bidding or feel free to call us at 720-890-7700. Please be sure to ask all questions at least 30 minutes prior to auction start time, as we will not be able to take calls or answer emails sent to us during the auction.
