Olmec Fantastic Creature - PF.0329, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 400 BC, Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Olmec Fantastic Creature - PF.0329, Origin: Guerrero, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 400 BC, Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Olmecoid Sculpture of a Standing Child - PF.0539, Origin: Las Bocas, Mexico, Circa: 1150 BC to 550 BC, Dimensions: 13.25" (33.7cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Olmecoid Sculpture of a Standing Child - PF.0539, Origin: Las Bocas, Mexico, Circa: 1150 BC to 550 BC, Dimensions: 13.25" (33.7cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Olmec Seated Baby - PF.0668 (LSO), Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1150 BC to 550 BC, Dimensions: 13" (33.0cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium:  More »

Olmec Seated Baby - PF.0668 (LSO), Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1150 BC to 550 BC, Dimensions: 13" (33.0cm) high, Catalogue: V2, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Olmec Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.0937, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Catalogue: V11, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmec Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.0937, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Catalogue: V11, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta. The Olmecs were the first great civilization of the New World, with an empire that stretched throughout Mexico and Central America. Much of Olmec culture remains shrouded in mystery, a puzzle yet to be deciphered. There is a haunting ambiguity about Olmec art; it appears to operate on many different levels of meaning. This superb little sculpture epitomizes much of that mystery. It depicts a figure that seems part human, part animal, neither old nor young, and neither male nor female. Does this reflect reality or imagination? In the presence of this hypnotic figure, we realize that not everything in life follows a logical pattern.   « Less

Olmec Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Baby - PF.3283, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1000 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 11.625" (29.5cm) high, Catalogue: V20, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmec Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Baby - PF.3283, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1000 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 11.625" (29.5cm) high, Catalogue: V20, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta. As is typical of this type of figure, the legs are spread wide apart with the hands placed firmly on the knees. The chest reveals subtle breasts, the torso is slim and shoulders broad. In keeping with the overall fine harmony of form, the head is beautifully modelled with a high forehead, long ears, eyes slanting slightly downwards, and a fairly large nose to balance the full lips. Though referred to as 'baby' figures because of the pose, this particular sculpture reveals a maturity in the expression, with eyes staring boldly at us touched by a hint of humor continued in the gentle curve of the mouth. And though the body reveals aspects of 'voluptuous' baby fat, there is nonetheless a masculine power in the limbs. This duality is characteristic of Olmec art, where much is expressed in basically simple forms, signifying depth of thought and considerable artistic skill.   « Less

Olmec Stone Sculpture of a Feline - PF.3447, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 1.5" (3.8cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.  More »

Olmec Stone Sculpture of a Feline - PF.3447, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 1.5" (3.8cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone. The Olmec civilization is the most Ancient Mexican civilization, often considered as the "Mother Civilization" of the new world. The Olmecs were carvers of stone, from gigantic colossal heads, stelae, altars, jade Celts figurines, to pendants. Many of Olmec sculptures, such as this jaguar figure, had special meanings. Believing in the legend of were-jaguar baby, they carved numerous images of jaguar babies and infant images. This image of a jaguar is carved of a light green stone and it is polished to achieve a smooth surface texture. The feline is in a sitting or a kneeling position, with very minimal indication of the limbs. Perhaps the artist of this marvelous sculpture carved the animal to preserve the shape of the natural stone. The face is carved with soft, almost lyrical quality--the curving eyebrow lines swiftly move up to the head and the intricate mouth is lightly open to reveal the teeth. The small nose is realistic, with even the nostrils indicated. Its body is elongated in a narrow shape, and the top of the body has an oval indentation, which suggests that this sculpture had a special function. Could it have been an amulet? Or did it support or hold a magical substance in rituals? Although we may not know the exact function of this sculpture, we know that it was kept and treated as a precious item. The jaguar was one of the most revered animals and was worshipped as a God in Ancient Meso-America. As jaguars roamed and ruled the wild jungle, Meso-Americans recognized such power and prowess of jaguars and worshiped them. As we look into the stone sculpture, we can almost feel the gentle hands of the artist who so lovingly carved the beautiful, intricate jaguar.   « Less

Olmec Stone Mask of a Were-Jaguar - PF.3718, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.

Olmec Stone Mask of a Were-Jaguar - PF.3718, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.   « Less

Olmecoid Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Baby - PF.3879, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1000 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 11" (27.9cm) high, Catalogue: V18, Collection:  More »

Olmecoid Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Baby - PF.3879, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1000 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 11" (27.9cm) high, Catalogue: V18, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmecoid, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Olmec Stone Mask - PF.4301, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.

Olmec Stone Mask - PF.4301, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone.   « Less

Basalt Olmec Mask - PF.4634, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 13.5" (34.3cm) high, Catalogue: V24, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Basalt, Medium:  More »

Basalt Olmec Mask - PF.4634, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 13.5" (34.3cm) high, Catalogue: V24, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Basalt, Medium: Basalt.   « Less