Olmec Sculpture of a Fantastic Creature - PF.0248, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 13" (33.0cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec,  More »

Olmec Sculpture of a Fantastic Creature - PF.0248, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 13" (33.0cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta. Enigmatic, magical, even disturbing, this unique sculpture touches a chord deep in the subconscious of every person who views it. How any individual reacts depends on personal experience--where one has been, what one knows and believes. It is impossible to be neutral or objective in describing it; the same features take on a myriad of meanings, the possiblities are infinite. Some have seen a Meso-American Jonah myth, a man struggling within a whale, the hollow space representing the stomach where he lives. Others see a shark-man, an alligator, an amphibious water spirit. Some believe it is a medical talisman designed to cure illness-- ulcers or cancer. A costumed shaman or a demon of the underworld have also been suggested. Perhaps it is the very first creature ever to climb above the primeval morass and declare itself to be human. In the presence of this extraordinary object, one is intrigued, mystified, challenged, but never bored. It opens a path to the past we may never have considered before.   « Less

Olmec Stone Sculpture of a Man Carrying a Child on His Back - PF.0253, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 450 BC, Dimensions: 7.875" (20.0cm) high, Catalogue: V1, Collection:  More »

Olmec Stone Sculpture of a Man Carrying a Child on His Back - PF.0253, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 450 BC, Dimensions: 7.875" (20.0cm) high, Catalogue: V1, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone. The world of the Olmec is so mysterious, so full of myth and magic, that we are uncertain if this powerful little statue of a man carrying a child represents part of their cosmology or merely a charming scene from daily life. The baby was a prominent fixture in the Olmec religion (frequently assuming supernatural characteristics), and yet every thriving culture recognizes the importance of the young for the continuity of life. We should let the mystery remain, and let the power of the sculpture affect us differently every time we see it.   « Less

Olmec Sculpture of a Seated Infant Were-Jaguar - PF.0256, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 1000 BC to 600 BC, Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection:  More »

Olmec Sculpture of a Seated Infant Were-Jaguar - PF.0256, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 1000 BC to 600 BC, Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta. We are drawn to the hypnotic power of this little figure, whose startled features identify him as a were-creature, the offspring of man mated with beast. These supernatural babies were of central importance to the Olmec religion, though their exact significance has been lost--like the culture that created them--in the mists of time. In the presence of this intriquing baby we are transported to a world somehow younger, more primal and mysterious than our own.   « Less

Olmec Sculpture of a Standing Figure - PF.0273, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 450 BC, Dimensions: 9.25" (23.5cm) high x 5.75" (14.6cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmec Sculpture of a Standing Figure - PF.0273, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 450 BC, Dimensions: 9.25" (23.5cm) high x 5.75" (14.6cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Olmecoid Sculpture of a Standing Woman - PF.0391, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 10.75" (27.3cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide, Catalogue: V2,  More »

Olmecoid Sculpture of a Standing Woman - PF.0391, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 10.75" (27.3cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, Medium: Terracotta. There is a primitive power about this figure, something unrefined, almost bestial, and yet mesmerizing. It is her face that holds our attention with its narrowed eyes and scowling mouth. Is it the face of grief, or pain, or anger? It is such a strongly emotional look that we catch our breath expecting further reaction, anticipating something which will never happen.   « Less

Olmecoid Sculpture of a Seated Baby - PF.0394, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmecoid Sculpture of a Seated Baby - PF.0394, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, Medium: Terracotta. What a joyously enchanting piece this is! The artist has conveyed the wonder and excitement that a toddler feels at the first discovery of the world around him. This plump little figure with his shock of orange hair leans forward to grab at something that has caught his attention and almost loses his balance. He seems to be reaching for the entire world.   « Less

Olmec Sculpture of a Reclining Woman - PF.0396, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmec Sculpture of a Reclining Woman - PF.0396, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta. This young woman with her slender, firm body almost seems to the modern eye to be posing at the beach, or engaged in some form of Yoga stretching exercise. There is such liveliness and grace to this small figure that she continues to captivate her audience.   « Less

Olmecoid Sculpture of a Man Holding Two Serpents - PF.0451, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 7.625" (19.4cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide,  More »

Olmecoid Sculpture of a Man Holding Two Serpents - PF.0451, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 7.625" (19.4cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, In almost every ancient culture, the serpent is a powerful symbol. One thinks of Cretan goddesses with snakes entwined on their outstretched arms, the cobra on the crown of Egypt, or the happenings in the Garden of Eden. Clearly, there is similar potent magic at work in this figure. The sinuous reptiles this awestruck individual holds tell us that we are no longer in the ordinary world but in a realm of spirits, ritual and mystery.Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Olmecoid Standing Female Ballplayer - PF.0452, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmecoid Standing Female Ballplayer - PF.0452, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Olmecoid Standing Female Ballplayer - PF.0453, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmecoid Standing Female Ballplayer - PF.0453, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 1200 BC to 900 BC, Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, Medium: Terracotta. This woman, with cinnabar-stained lips and wearing a belt and headgear is a participant in the ritual ballgame. That ceremonial sport, played with a heavy rubber ball, required an incredible amount of stamina and skill. It is easy to believe, looking at this figure, that she plays to win. She stands, athletic and trim, as if shouting encouragement to her teammates at the other end of the court.   « Less