Teotihuacan Orangeware Vase - PF.0583,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 600 AD,Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Terracotta.

Teotihuacan Orangeware Vase - PF.0583,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 600 AD,Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Teotihuacan Stone Mask - PF.1377,Origin: Teotihuacan, Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium:  More »

Teotihuacan Stone Mask - PF.1377,Origin: Teotihuacan, Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Stone. This exceptional mask is a supreme masterwork of the Teotihuacan group of the Mexico Basin, and dates to the first half of the first millennium AD. It is typical of the genre, with a gently pointed chin, a round-topped brow and curved cheeks. The structure of the face is deceptively simple, with finely arched brows, a long, slender nose and a slightly opened mouth. The contours of the face are perfectly positioned, executed and symmetrical. The eyes are raised-rim ovals, and detailing has been kept to a minimum, with drilled holes for the nostrils and ears. The entire face is a masterwork of contemplative serenity, which is made all the more remarkable if one considers the hardness of the stone and the basic array of tools and polishing techniques (usually involving sand and leather stropping) that were available at the time. In its time Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Americas and was of supreme importance in the evolution of contemporary and later states such as the Mayas, Aztecs and the Veracruz group. They were particularly known for their architecture, which included several of the most imposing structures ever built by humans until well into the 19th and 20th centuries. The founding of the city (which was actually named Puh, for “Place of Reeds” by the Maya) took place in 200 BC and may have been the work of the Nahua, Totonac or Otomi people, who built other large city structures throughout Mexico in the Late Formative period. About five centuries after its founding the city contained around 100,000 people and covered over eleven square miles.   « Less

Teotihuacan Tripod Cylindrical Vessel - PF.2361,Origin: Teotihuacan, Mexico,Circa: 200 AD to 750 AD,Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Teotihuacan Tripod Cylindrical Vessel - PF.2361,Origin: Teotihuacan, Mexico,Circa: 200 AD to 750 AD,Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Terracotta. Cylindrical vessels were the highly prized possessions of the wealthy Teotihuacan elite. Their use was both ceremonial and functional, representing the prestige of someone who could afford an artist with the skill to make such an object as this beautiful vessel. The rectangular legs are in relief form, as is the main body, done in white slip with touches of orange, especially along the middle and lower rims. One figure holds a spear and may be related to the Storm god. Such panels on vessels imitate wall murals intended to relate tales of mythology, serving as a pictorial method of instruction. Thus, the highest quality vessels could be seen as 'inspirational' works, as well as objects of aesthetic beauty. And even though Teotihuacan civilization has long vanished, we can still appreciate its culture through objects of art, which gave such pleasure to their original owners.   « Less

Teotihucan Polychrome Cylindrical Bowl - PF.2780,Origin: Teotihuacan, Mexico,Circa: 250 AD to 650 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high x 7.5" (19.1cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Teotihucan Polychrome Cylindrical Bowl - PF.2780,Origin: Teotihuacan, Mexico,Circa: 250 AD to 650 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high x 7.5" (19.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Terracotta. The Meso-Americans, known for their advances architecture, mathematics and calendar practices, were a very evolved civilization. Their artwork was styled with grace and detail. Each piece of their artwork told a story or was symbolic of an event, elite group or ceremony. This beautiful bowl, which retains much of its paintworks, depicts the God, Tlaloc. Tlaloc, the God of rain, was associated with water and agricultural fertility. This particular bowl was in ceremonies to appease Tlaloc and bring a fine harvest to his people. The characteristic trademarks of Tlaloc can also be found wearing a headdress in the form of a bird. The range in color on this ancient work or art is stunning and explains Tlaloc’s mood when pacified or angered. From the soothing, cooling blue to the passionate, fiery colors of red and orange, this colorful piece of art expresses myth and symbol in the power of clay, color and form.   « Less

Teotihuacan Terracotta Fragment of a Head - PF.3041,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 200 AD to 750 AD,Dimensions: 2.375" (6.0cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Teotihuacan Terracotta Fragment of a Head - PF.3041,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 200 AD to 750 AD,Dimensions: 2.375" (6.0cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Teotihuacan Jade-like Stone Sculpture of a Standing Figure - PF.3144,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 600 AD,Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Teotihuacan Jade-like Stone Sculpture of a Standing Figure - PF.3144,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 600 AD,Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Jade-like Stone.   « Less

Teotihuacan Greenstone Mask - PF.4519,Origin: Mexico, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD,Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 3.875" (9.8cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Teotihuacan Greenstone Mask - PF.4519,Origin: Mexico, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD,Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 3.875" (9.8cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Greenstone.   « Less

Teotihuacan Terracotta Cylindrical Vessel - PF.4646,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD,Dimensions: 9.5" (24.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Teotihuacan Terracotta Cylindrical Vessel - PF.4646,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD,Dimensions: 9.5" (24.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Teotihuacan Stone Idol - PF.6231a,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 600 AD,Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Stone. The period  More »

Teotihuacan Stone Idol - PF.6231a,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 600 AD,Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Stone. The period from about 150 to 900 A.D. was the most remarkable in the entire development of Meso-America. This era of fluorescence, known as the classic period, saw the emergence of great Meso-American civilizations, ones that could easily compare with those of other parts of the globe. It was truly the golden age of Mexico, when the arts reached their highest refinement, when the seeds that were planted earlier reached their fruition. The greatest city of all was ancient Teotihuacan, the most important site in the whole of Mexico. A place of legend and mystery, Teotihuacan is literally translated to "where people become gods." It was here, where the ancient gods met, and it was here that creative masterpieces, such as this green stone idol were skillfully rendered. We see in this striking image the characteristic Teotihuacan art style, elegant and refined, stylized and ordered, resulting in an ancient work of art that also appears strikingly modern. The Teotihuacan artist has skillfully reduced the forms of a figiure to a few lines and curves, in the mode of early 20th century abstract art, all of which serve to heighten and intensify the spirited essence of this powerful piece. The standing figure may be a god himself. In state of meditation, it appears as though he is chanting a prayer. The concentric rings that radiate from the center of his crown may be a visual symbol of his hypnotic state. This figure's smooth surface bears the ages of time and years of rubbing. The color green, bearing the breath of life, may have been carved specifically to represent good fortune and protection. Perhaps the owner of this precious relic used it as a good luck charm and looked up to it as an object of great reverence. Although the great civilization of Teotihuacan met its untimely end around 700 A.D., by the hand of invaders, the creative spirit of the people lives on in this bold stone mask, its dynamic energy transcending the boundaries time and space.   « Less

Teotihuacan Mask - PF.4715,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 5.10" (13.0cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian Art,Style:  More »

Teotihuacan Mask - PF.4715,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 5.10" (13.0cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian Art,Style: Teotihuacan,Medium: Stone.   « Less