Abstract dark-green standing stone figure with indented features, including eyes, ears, mouth, arms, and legs.
Abstract dark-green standing stone figure with indented features, including eyes, ears, mouth, arms, and legs.

About the Object

The unknown Mezcala artist(s) carved and polished an unidentified dark brown stone to create this standing figure. The abstract figure has ears, represented by simple cuts on each side of the head, along with broader facial features such as the noticeable eyebrows, eyes, slight nose, and open mouth often indicative of Mezcala style. Meanwhile, vertical cuts indicate the arms. Finally, the blade of the original celt, or stone hand axe, that this object was likely reworked from has been cut away in the center to create the figure’s legs.

 

Additional Information

Most Mezcala objects are believed to be associated with burial sites. However, due to past looting, much information has been lost. New excavations are revealing greater insight into these and other Guerrero traditions, including the related Chontal culture with western Mexican traditions and others such as the Chinesco, Nayarit, and Colima.

[Throckmorton Fine Art, New York, NY];
The Jan T. and Marica Vilcek Collection, 2007-2010;
Gift to The Vilcek Foundation, 2010;

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