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Pre-Columbian Aztec stone figure
$600.00
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Description
AZTEC STONE FIGURE
Central Mexico, Late Postclassic Period, circa 1300–1500 A.D.
Height: 9 ½ in (24.1 cm)
Carved from a dense volcanic stone, the figure represents a standing male divinity or votive attendant, rendered with strong geometric simplification and a commanding frontal presence. The figure’s broad shoulders, truncated limbs, and squared proportions emphasize monumentality in miniature form, while the face—with heavy brows, wide eyes, and pursed lips—retains a quiet intensity. Traces of red pigment remain visible in the facial recesses, suggesting its original polychrome embellishment.
Figures of this type were often placed within domestic or temple contexts, serving as intermediaries between the earthly and divine realms in Aztec ritual practice. The porous texture and balanced composition of this example reflect the enduring vitality of Late Postclassic sculptural tradition.
Provenance
Ex Leonard Auction; deaccessioned from The Lake Forest College Art collection, Illinois, USA.
Condition
Minor losses and surface erosion consistent with exposure and age; scattered red pigment remains. Missing part of the nose from antiquity.