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Large Classic Period Smiling Head, Remojadas, Veracruz browse these categories for related items... All Items: Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian: Pre AD 1000: item # 801103
Janus Antiquities By Appointment New Jersey (330) 612-3957 Guest Book SOLD |
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This nice display piece is from a type of Pre-Columbian figure commonly known as "sonrientes" (smiling figures). They were produced by a Classic-period culture in what is today the central and northern portions of the Mexican state of Veracruz. Most sonriente figures were produced at Remojadas, an important ceramic center for the Veracruz culture.
Although these seemingly benign smiling figures have been favorites of museum-goers for decades, recent scholarship suggests that they were linked to the practice of human sacrifice that was widespread in Classic-period Mexico. Most authors agree that the depicted smiling is actually a product of ingesting hallucinogens (probably morning glory), and that the figures are meant to represent ecstatic ceremonial celebrants or drugged sacrificial victims. AGE: Classic Period, ca. 600 A.D. CONDITION: Professionally repaired from approximately 20 original pieces with some in-fill added around the cracks to replace minor losses. However, the piece displays very well and is quite large for the type -- this would have been a substantial figure if intact. DIMENSIONS: 14.5 cm / 5.75" tall |
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