A Superb and Rare Chupicuaro Mask...

Description

A Superb and Rare Chupicuaro Mask
Guanajuato, Mexico, Late Pre-Classic, c. 300 BC - 300 AD

Buffware with dark red and black designs on an orange ground. The eyes and mouth cut open in oval shapes, the nose, lips and ears are raised from the surface, the mouth has small pellets as teeth. On the face are the traditional ancient Chupicuaro cross or step-fret designs characteristic of their large figures and masks. This has unique zigzag lines from the bridge of the nose down to the cheek areas, and similar lines from the lower lip down the chin. Perforated once each side above the ear and once on the forehead for attachment. This is in excellent, condition, no apparent repairs or restoration, minor small chips and surface paint loss, scattered small black manganese deposits, two sets of recent small drilled cavities on back. With a metal stand.

Exhibited:
Chocolate Pots and Tomb Guardians from Ancient Mexico, the Dallas Museum of Art, June 1990 to September 1993.

Provenance:
A Private Collection, New York, NY, acquired in 1992
Merrin Gallery, New York, NY
Sotheby's New York, auction May 28, 1997, lot 124
Dr. & Mrs. Irwin Levy, Dallas, TX, acquired from the Peter G. Wray collection 04/01/1983
Peter G. Wray collection, Scottsdale, AZ, acquired from the Harner collection 07/01/1977
David Harner, Arkansas
Dr. Michael Harner, Arkansas

Width: 7 inches



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