{"product_id":"pre-columbian-veracruz-pottery-head-fragment","title":"Pre-Columbian Veracruz pottery head fragment","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"285\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"237\" data-end=\"283\"\u003eVERACRUZ POTTERY “SONRIENTE” HEAD FRAGMENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"286\" data-end=\"397\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"286\" data-end=\"347\"\u003eCentral Veracruz, Late Classic Period, circa 600–900 A.D.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"347\" data-end=\"350\"\u003eHeight: 6 in (15.2 cm); Width: 7 in (17.8 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"399\" data-end=\"930\"\u003eA finely modeled terracotta head fragment of a classic \u003cspan data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"465\"\u003eSonriente\u003c\/span\u003e (“Smiling”) figure from Veracruz, distinguished by its exuberant expression and towering headdress. The serene, joyful face features slightly closed almond-shaped eyes, full lips drawn into a radiant smile, and large circular ear ornaments. The high headdress bears incised geometric motifs and lateral perforations, likely for the attachment of plumes or adornments, suggesting the figure once represented a ceremonial dancer or high-ranking ritual participant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"932\" data-end=\"1351\"\u003eThe \u003cspan data-start=\"936\" data-end=\"947\"\u003eSonriente\u003c\/span\u003e figures of Veracruz stand among the most endearing and iconic sculptural forms of Mesoamerica. Their expressive faces and lively gestures are believed to embody the spiritual vitality and joy associated with fertility rites, music, and dance. Scholars note that such smiling imagery may have served to invoke the cyclical renewal of life and agricultural abundance central to Veracruz ritual ideology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"932\" data-end=\"1351\"\u003eLast images depict several Sonriente figures found with decapitated heads in El Zapotal, Veracruz. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"932\" data-end=\"1351\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEx. Abell Auction, Los Angeles, California\u003cbr\u003eEx. Private Estate, Beverly Hills, California.\u003cbr\u003eAcquired during the 1950s and remaining in the collection \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003efor over seventy years, by descent within the family.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Minerva Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52436904673577,"sku":null,"price":600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/2762\/2185\/files\/IMG-7276.jpg?v=1779741101","url":"https:\/\/minerva-gallery.com\/es\/products\/pre-columbian-veracruz-pottery-head-fragment","provider":"Minerva Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}