Large Pre-Columbian Veracruz Pottery head fragment
$1,500.00 USD
Shipping and applicable taxes are calculated at checkout.
Enquire about this workAbout the work
Veracruz Pottery Head Fragment
Mexico, Late Classic Period, circa A.D. 600–900
A substantial hollow pottery head from a large figure, the face modeled with pronounced brows, narrow eyes with applied pupils, a projecting nose, and an open mouth revealing individually delineated teeth. The tall headdress is embellished with raised circular ornaments and vertical elements, with bands descending along the cheeks and framing the chin. Black bitumen highlights accentuate the pupils, lower face, and selected headdress details, contrasting with the warm buff-orange surface.
The head exemplifies the expressive ceramic tradition of Veracruz on Mexico’s Gulf Coast, combining sculptural modeling with emphatic surface decoration. The open mouth and direct gaze give the face an animated presence, while the elaborate headdress establishes a commanding silhouette. The use of bitumen—a naturally occurring asphalt employed as black decoration—is documented on related Veracruz ceramics.
Height: 10” Custom stand included.
Condition: Fragmentary, with losses to the headdress and perimeter, visible cracks and joins, and surface wear; substantial areas of bitumen decoration preserved.
Provenance: Private Connecticut estate; Nadeau’s Gallery, Windsor, Connecticut.