Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2800, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2800, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. To see it, 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 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 the to the lover of innovation and blunt originality. Its commanding presence heeding the respect of its modern day beholder. And, for a people developing such an amazingly artistic culture with the simplest of means, respect seems most appropriate.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2887,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.2887,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. The Pre-Hispanic Mezcala culture held the powers of the axe, man's first all-purpose tool, in high esteem. Over time, the axe was attributed with supernatural qualities and came to be a symbol of the kinship bonds between generations. The carving of figures from these axes arose as a means of expressing the power embodied in the tool. Though later examples were carved directly from raw stone, the earlier examples (such as this piece) were fashioned out of actual axe blades. The area on top of the figure's head was always left rough and unfinished so as not to eliminate the axe's original power. The Mezcala eventually developed productive lapidaries, but the earliest styles were probably hand carved by the group's spiritual leaders, or shamans.   « Less

Mezcala Greenstone Face Panel - PF.3029,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 400 AD,Dimensions: 6.875" (17.5cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Mezcala Greenstone Face Panel - PF.3029,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 400 AD,Dimensions: 6.875" (17.5cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Greenstone. Recovered from dedicatory caches in Guerrero, this sculpture of a face is a mysterious artistic product of Mezcala culture's obsessive votive Celt cult. Mezcala was a stone-centered culture that is considered as preolmec. The sculptors of this period carved their votive offerings out of hard stones such as andesite and serpentine. This sculpture of a face is smoothly carved out of green stone with a soft shade of the color the face is carved with a bold simplicity, which distinctly defines the facial features. Although ancient, its minimal quality evokes a sense of modern minimal abstraction which heightens the sculpture's artistic quality. Mezcala sculptors were driven by the impact of sheer physical necessity and produced the stone carvings for their obsessive rituals in mass quantity. Though produced in great quantity, the sculptors carved the hard, unyielding stone with absolute sureness and special sculptural sensitivity. Each mark, each indentation is a precious outcome of earnest carving that describes the facial features. Possessing remarkable abstract and modern features, the sculpture appeals to our senses even today.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.3156,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.3156,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. This standing figure is so abstract that its vitality as well as its beauty should judge it. Eyes, mouth, nose and body definitions are merely suggested by wide or narrow groves. This sculpture has an inherent energy independent of what it represents. The way the artist conveyed this energy was by suggesting rather than imitating reality. This way of conveying energy became unique to this area of ancient Meso- America referred to as Mezcala. It has its own unique language of space and monumental form. The language and energy of this standing figure comes across with such force that it summons our undivided attention.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.3191,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 100 BC,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.3191,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 100 BC,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.3235,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wideCollection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.3235,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wideCollection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Female Figure - PF.3297,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.6" (14.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Female Figure - PF.3297,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 500 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.6" (14.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.5291,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.5291,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. An unusually pointed, conical head characterizes this figure. The indentations of the eyes, as horizontal ellipses, are placed very high on the head. A similar shape elliptical forms the mouth; with two deep slashes in a V-shape on either side, whose apex meets at the bridge of the nose stretching down just below the jaw line. This acute angle is repeated for the arms, which creates a pleasing contrast with the basic verticality of the figure. The legs are quite short in comparison with the body and are prong- shaped, as if intended to be stuck into the ground, or into holes designed for the purpose. When turned upside down, the standing figure becomes the face of a jaguar, perhaps symbolizing the powers of shaman to transform into wild creatures. The geometric style of the figure recalls the statues on Easter Island; and both may have had a similar purpose in depicting the human being as a god and the gods in human form.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.5559,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 7.625" (19.4cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.5559,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 7.625" (19.4cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. While the path of civilization continues moving forward, this work reminds us how little we have evolved. Superstition still pervades our modern society and our understanding of the universe and science still cannot provide the ultimate answers we long for. God is still the great unknown, be it scientific or religious. God will always exist at the limits of our understanding. Like a miniature Easter Island idol, this stone figure stands with open legs, folded arms, and protruding jaw and forehead. Two indentations are carved where the inlaid eyes would have been placed. The actual contours of the statue echo the form of a phallus, linking the necessity of procreation and the survival of the species with a vulnerability to the elements and the wrath of the gods. No doubt, the creation of gods serves to alleviate anxiety and imbed mankind with a sense of control over nature and his own being. When one became sick from an unknown diseases or when crops died for unknown reasons, an idol like this one would be prayed to, sacrifices would be made in its honor, all in order to try and change the course of nature and extend the path of civilization one step further.   « Less

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.5558,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium:  More »

Mezcala Stone Standing Figure - PF.5558,Origin: Guerrero, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mezcala,Medium: Stone. This statue exudes a power. A power of the ages, of witnessing the passage of seasons and civilizations. This splendid sculpture, created by man in the image of a deity, has transcended the fate of mankind, becoming as immortal as the gods. In ancient times, the forces of nature were attributed to the whims of the gods. For health and harvest, the gods must be gratified by worship and sacrifice. This work is a symbol of a deity, merging the necessities of nourishment and procreation together. Like a miniature Easter Island idol, this stone figure stands with open legs, folded arms, and protruding jaw and forehead. The actual contours of the statue echo the form of a phallus. Most likely, this statue would have been used as a pestle to grind up corn or wheat. Thus as the women of the tribe prepared the food, they would have held in their hands the symbol of male fertility, linking the immediate survival of the community through food with the procreation of the species through copulation. All at the same time invoking the favors of the gods. Thus, this statue continues to emanate the same energy it did in the past. While in our modern age we tend to think of ancient civilizations as primitive, we would not be here today if it was not for the energy that brings man and woman together.   « Less