Mezcala Jade Face Panel - PF.2566,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 AD,Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Jade. The  More »

Mezcala Jade Face Panel - PF.2566,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 AD,Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Jade. The ancient people of Mezcala, a region in the central portion of the Mexican state of Guerrero, developed a unique and distinctive art style. Although the Mezcala culture probably sprang from the same roots as the ancient Olmec, their relative isolation in the mountain valleys resulted in a stone centered artistic culture, which developed and flourished independent of neighboring influences. As evidenced in this striking jade pendant, carved in the form of a male head, the highly stylized and abstract form of rendering resulted in a powerful image, one that instantly evokes spiritual magnetism and energy. The skilled abstraction of form highlights and accentuates only the essence of the object, a characteristic reminiscent of Ancient Cycladic art of 4000 years ago as well as early twentieth century cubist and abstract art. To behold this extraordinary stone carving is to experience a remarkable work of art whose timeless spirit reaches far into the deep levels of our own modern sensibilities, touching a chord that is at once contemporary and primitive.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2571,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 6.625" (16.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2571,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 6.625" (16.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. The people of Ancient Mezcala, a region in the central portion of the Mexican state of Guerrero, developed a unique art style based on the cult of the votive Celt, a type of axe. Although the Mezcala culture probably sprang from the same roots as the Ancient Olmec, their relative isolation in the mountain valleys resulted in a stone-centered artistic culture, which developed and flourished independent of neighboring influences. As evidenced in this striking Celt, carved in the form of a human figure, their highly stylized and abstract form of rendering results in a powerful image, one that instantly evokes spiritual magnetism and energy. The skilled abstraction of form, which highlights and accentuates only the essence of the object, is reminiscent of Ancient Cycladic art of 4,000 years ago as well as early twentieth-century art, and in fact served as inspiration for early cubist and abstract artists. To hold this extraordinary stone carving today is to reach across time and space and capture the sensory spirit of the ancient culture that created this dynamic work of sculptural art.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Face Panels - PF.2599,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 AD,Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. The  More »

Mezcala Stone Face Panels - PF.2599,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 AD,Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. The ancient people of Mezcala, a region in the central portion of the Mexican state of Guerrero, developed a unique and distinctive art style. Although the Mezcala culture probably sprang from the same roots as the Ancient Olmec, their relative isolation in the Mountain valleys resulted in a stone-centered artistic culture, which developed and flourished independent of neighboring influences. As evidenced in this striking stone pendant, carved n the form of a male head, the highly stylized and abstract form highlights and accentuates only the essence of the object, a characteristic reminiscent of Ancient Cycladic art of 4000 years ago as well as early twentieth-century cubist and abstract art. To behold this extraordinary stone carving is to experience a remarkable work of art whose timeless spirit reaches far into the deep levels of our own modern sensibilities, touching a chord that is at once both contemporary and primitive.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2636,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2636,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. Along the region of the Rio Mezcala in the central portion of the Mexican state of Guerrero, an ancient culture evolved which created highly expressive and powerful stone ritual objects such as this stunning anthropomorphic axe. Possibly springing from the same roots as the famous Olmec culture, the people of Mezcala imbued these Celts, axes used for hafting, with both magical and spiritual Celts developed a powerful, expressive style of abstraction remarkably close to that of many modern artists. In stone carvings such as this, a few deftly chiseled lines and shapes produce an abstracted human figure that clearly expresses all the powerful and essential elements of its being. Here we experience a figure whose haunting face stares at us through widely exaggerated eyes filled with a spirited intensity. Although the Ancient Mezcala still remains an enigmatic mystery, they nevertheless reach out and touch us, through these extraordinary works of sculptural art.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2637,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2637,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2645,Origin: Guerrero, MexicoCirca: 500 BC to 400 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2645,Origin: Guerrero, MexicoCirca: 500 BC to 400 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. The people of Mezcala, a region in the central potion of the Mexican state of Guerrero, developed a unique art based on the cult of the votive Celt, an axe used for hafting. Although the Mezcala culture probably sprang from the same roots as the Ancient Olmec, their relative isolation in the Mountain valleys resulted in a stone-centered artistic culture, which developed and flourished independent of neighboring influences. As evidenced in this striking Celt, carved in the form of a male figure, their highly stylized and abstract form of rendering resulted in a powerful image, one that instantly evokes spiritual magnetism and energy. The skilled abstraction of form, which highlights and accentuates only the essence of the figure, is reminiscent of Ancient Cycladic art of 4000 years ago, as well as early twentieth-century art, and in fact served to inspire these early cubist and abstract artists. To hold this ancient and spirited stone figure, with its smooth, tactile surface, is to reach across time and space and at once capture the sensory spirit of the ancient culture that created it.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2657,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 400 AD,Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2657,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 400 AD,Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. Long held in the ancient world as a symbol of nobility, power and perhaps fertility, the carved stone axe, or Celt, is one of the most beautiful art forms known to man. Here we encounter a Mezcala carved stone axe that has been masterfully converted into a dynamic, human form with just a few carefully placed string-saw cuts. Polished to a high luster, the figure radiates a primal energy that speaks directly to our 20th century tastes and sensibilities. When this figure was created, it held a prominent and meaningful position in Mezcala culture. Today, its meaning and importance is no less diminished, for this potent figure forms a tangible link between us and our ancient and spirited past.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2658,Origin: Guerrero, MexicoCirca: 500 BC to 400 AD,Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2658,Origin: Guerrero, MexicoCirca: 500 BC to 400 AD,Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. The culture of Mezcala is one of the most enigmatic cultures in the New World, for very little is known about the people who populated the remote, Mountainous regions of the state of Guerroro, Mexico. Yet we find a sense of Universality about the stone sculpture created by these people, a Universality that tends to transcend our limited knowledge of their culture. For example, this stone figure, masterfully created from within the confines of a stone axe, is somehow familiar to us. It is wonderful to gaze upon and powerful to hold. It exudes a strength and aura of importance. There is relatedness about the sculpture that speaks directly to out 20th century tastes and sensibilities. Transformed from a block of stone with only a few saw-cuts, this abstract human form has within it a communicative power that in not only global, but eternal as well.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2765,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2765,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. To see it is to sense the beauty of the era, but to touch such a carving enables one to grasp the mystery and intrigue characterizing the formative period of Meso-American history. Developed during the third and second Millennia B.C., the Mezcala culture took the axe stone and applied a sense of artistry and resourcefulness, which created this lovely piece, used for ceremonial purposes. The results are truly breathtaking. Altering our traditional perception, Mezcala carvings offer an abstract versus a naturalistic interpretation of form. With its chiseled lines and powerful, contemplative shape, this particular figure embraces an aura of dignity. The stone is cold to the touch, possibly exuding the energy of the ancient priests who once might have used this symbolic axe. But, the ancient carving soon warms to the lover of innovation and blunt originality. Its commanding presence is heeding the respect of its modern day beholders. From a people developing such an amazingly artistic culture with the simplest of means, respect seems most appropriate.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2766,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2766,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. To see it is to sense the beauty of the era, but to touch such a carving enables one to grasp the mystery and intrigue characterizing the formative period of Mesoamerican history. Developed during the third and second Millennia B.C., the Mezcala culture took the axe stone and applied a sense of artistry and resourcefulness, which created this lovely piece, used for ceremonial purposes. The results are truly breathtaking. Altering our traditional perception, Mezcala carvings offer an abstract versus a naturalistic interpretation of form. With its chiseled lines and powerful, contemplative shape, this particular figure embraces an aura of dignity. The stone is cold to the touch, possibly exuding the energy of the ancient priests who once might have used this symbolic axe. But, the ancient carving soon warms to the lover of innovation and blunt originality. Its commanding presence is heeding the respect of its modern day beholders. From a people developing such an amazingly artistic culture with the simplest of means, respect seems most appropriate.   « Less