VERACRUZ HOLLOW CERAMIC HEAD FROM A "SONRIENTE" FIGURE

拍品描述

Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast Mexico, Veracruz culture, Late Classic period, Ca. 7th - 9th century AD. >A hollow pottery head from the iconic sonrientes tradition, likely once part of a larger effigy such as a shrine figure, or tomb guardian. The expressive visage features a wide mouth, slightly parted to reveal prominent teeth - an element closely tied to the ritual practice of dental modification, a hallmark of Veracruz aesthetics. These "smiling figures," so named for their animated expressions, are often understood as symbols of vitality, joy, or shamanic transformation. Their presence in tombs suggests they served as protectors or guides for the soul on its journey to the afterlife. This example displays an elaborate headdress with mould-made geometric motifs, round ear spools, and softly modelled facial features. > >Size: 175mm x 170mm; Weight: 655g >Provenance: Private UK Collection; ex Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005.> >

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