A Sultepec Greenstone Maskette Mexico, c. 500-100 BC Carved from a striking semi-translucent lime-green st...

Description

A Sultepec Greenstone Maskette
Mexico, c. 500–100 BC

Carved from a striking semi-translucent lime-green stone of unusual intensity, this remarkable maskette is notable for its elongated proportions, with a particularly extended lower face that lends the image a quiet gravity. The brows, nose, and mouth are carved in high relief, while the eyes are broadly grooved and drilled at the corners, likely to receive inlay of a bright stone, shell, or other reflective material. Long, narrow ears descend at the sides, and paired perforations near the top indicate attachment or suspension. The vivid, almost glowing green of the stone—combined with its soft translucence—heightens the clarity of the carving and gives the face a focused, commanding presence. A fine example of Sultepec work, distinguished by its refined austerity and the exceptional beauty of its material.

Provenance:
Ex-collection William Spratling

Height: 4 ¾ inches

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000.

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