Pre-Columbian Chontal green stone figure

Pre-Columbian Chontal green stone figure, a carved anthropomorphic sculpture associated with the Chontal culture of Guerrero, Mexico. The figure is made from a dense green stone, likely serpentine or granite, with a mottled surface showing natural mineral inclusions.

The carving is highly stylized and geometric, with a block-like head and a segmented body. The facial features are minimalistic, consisting of incised lines for the eyes and mouth, forming an angular and abstract expression. The body is divided into three main sections, with distinct cuts separating the head, torso, and lower half.

The arms are carved in a rigid, symmetrical posture, bent at the elbows and positioned near the chest, suggesting a gesture of reverence or ritual significance. The legs are short and slightly separated, terminating in a notch that emphasizes the geometric abstraction characteristic of Chontal sculptures.

The back of the figure is relatively flat, with less detailing than the front, suggesting it was meant to be viewed primarily from the front. The polished yet weathered surface indicates significant age, likely dating back to the Late Preclassic to Early Postclassic period (circa 200 BCE - 900 CE).

Figures like this were likely used in ritual or funerary contexts, possibly as guardian figures, deity representations, or ancestral effigies. The Chontal culture was known for its mastery of hard stone carving, creating abstract, geometric figures with spiritual significance. Ex Barney G. Malone collection, TX. 1970. 6 1/2" in height.