Colima Stone Mask - PF.3145,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Green Stone. This beautifully polished dark green stone has been sculpted to greet us with a friendly smile. The glistening shores of the Pacific and the clear blue-sky overhead may have influenced the free and natural appearance of this sculpture. Shells may have been gathered from the shores and placed within the eye sockets reinforcing a convivial, free spirit. This may have been placed within a tomb of the deceased. The wide, open mouth would enable the spirit of the deceased to continue his drinking and eating festivities in the Underworld. It would also allow the spirit to speak and perhaps defend himself if need be to the gods of the Underworld. The spoken words have vanished with the ravages of time, but the energy continues to pulse to its own unique rhythm.

Antiquities
Ancient Central America & Mexico