Pre-Columbian Mezcala stone temple

Pre-Columbian Mezcala stone temple model, originating from the Guerrero region of Mexico, dating from the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period (circa 300 BCE - 300 CE). This carved stone model is a miniature representation of a temple or architectural structure, reflecting the Mezcala culture's abstract style and deep spiritual connection to their built environment.

The model is carved from a grayish-green stone with a weathered surface, which reveals lighter and darker patches due to age and exposure. The temple form is highly stylized, with a flat rectangular top and three vertical columns or pillars that create two open spaces between them, suggesting the entrance or interior of the temple. Below the pillars, a series of horizontal, incised lines represent a stairway or steps leading up to the temple, a common architectural feature in Mesoamerican temples.

The carving is rudimentary yet deliberate, with a focus on symmetry and balance, embodying the minimalist and geometric style typical of Mezcala stonework. These stone models were likely used in ritual contexts, possibly as votive offerings, objects for worship, or symbolic representations of sacred spaces. Their simplicity and abstraction suggest a deeper symbolic meaning, reflecting the Mezcala people's spiritual beliefs and their connection to the physical and metaphysical worlds. 5 1/4" in height.