Pre-Columbian Olmec Terracotta Figural Bowl, 1600-900 BCE

Pre-Columbian Olmec Terracotta Figural Bowl, 1600-900 BCE
Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico, Mesoamerica Olmec 1200-900 BCE, reddish cream colored bowl with a low relief figural head to the face. Exceptional details of a transformative figure, ears in long rectangular form with incised recess imitating the form of a human ear. Pointed almond eyes of exceptional form highlighted in a faint red pigment matching to the sides of the face which feature crosshatch incising probably mimicking hair or tattooing. The brow and expression of the cleft head and mouth, the downturned open mouth with a cross hatch goatee to the chin in an unusual depiction, parts of the face are highlighted in red pigment including the eyes, hair or tattooing, and chin with the remaining in a lighter or white pigment. 7" W x 4 1/2" H

Olmec culture base in southern Mexico 1600-900 BCE and Later La Venta 900-400 BCE were some of the earliest Mesoamerica civilizations. Their worship and obsession with jaguar is present in numerous elements of their art although exceptional examples with more vivid detailing and iconography more easily rendered in terracotta over the prized but difficult to work hardstones. After 400BCE the Olmec civilization population saw a steep decline and had few inhabitants until the 19th century.
Condition: Numerous locations of manganese, extensive repair to the sides and base in unrestored original condition with losses as seen.