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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Veracruz Art : Remojadas Sculptural Fragment of a Smiling Head
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Remojadas Sculptural Fragment of a Smiling Head - PF.4703
Origin: Mexico
Circa: 500
AD
to 900
AD
Dimensions:
6" (15.2cm) high
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Style: Remojadas
Medium: Terracotta
$6,300.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
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The Classic Veracruz cultures were small, tightly-
packed city states, all governed by hereditary
rulers, who sat at the top of highly stratified
social structures. Economically, it was based
upon slash and burn agricultural techniques,
supplemented by exploitation of marine
resources, as well as hunting. The culture was
fuelled by long- distance trade networks that ran
throughout Mesoamerica, as evidenced by the
spread of luxury items and exotic goods. In this
they strongly resemble the Olmecs, who
preceded them and to whom they owed a
considerable cultural and artistic debt. Religion
was based upon the Olmec “earth monster”, as
well as a death god who has been likened to
Mictlantecuhtli, a deity worshipped by their
cultural neighbour, the Aztecs. Like the Aztecs,
they were obsessed with death, sacrifice and the
Mesoamerican ballgame, another cultural
bequest from the Olmecs. There are accounts
stating that the losing team was sacrificed as an
offering to the gods; other chroniclers suggest
that it might have been used as a substitute for
warfare. As a result their iconography is
somewhat sanguineous – with decapitations,
blood-letting and bound prisoners common
themes – surrounded by extensive and
convoluted banded scrolls that can be seen both
on monumental architecture and on mobile art. A
defining characteristic of the Classic Veracruz
culture is the presence of stone ballgame gear:
yokes, hachas, and palmas. Yokes are U-shaped
stones worn about the waist of a ballplayer, while
the hachas and palmas sit upon the yoke. These
were probably worn ceremonially by the victors;
the actual pieces were probably made of wood
and leather. Interestingly, while hachas and yokes
are found throughout the range, the palmas
seem peculiar to what is today northern
Veracruz.
There is mystery surrounding the people who
inhabited the Veracruz region during this period.
Neither their ethnic identity nor their language is
known. This lack of knowledge may frustrate the
historian, but it is not an impediment to the art
lover. Though the people and circumstances that
inspired the art are an enigma, the 'laughing
faces' of Veracruz are world famous. What pure
joy it is to see this smiling face. He simply
radiates enjoyment, pleasure and well-being.
From an aesthetic point of view, the head is
beautifully symmetrical. It is essentially a triangle
that includes the distinctive headdress. This is
ornamented with two designs on both sides in a
criss-cross pattern, separated by a thick line
forming a sort of 'doorway' in the center and
filled with broad vertical bands. The face itself is
masterfully modeled; the narrow almond eyes
and gorgeous smile exposing two prominent
teeth create the focal point of laughter. Two
large earspools are signs of wealth and indicate
this figure is someone of importance. It is
possible he is a priest or initiate involved in a
ritual ceremony, enjoying a moment of religious
ecstasy; perhaps aided by a hallucinogenic drug!
Whatever his source of delight, the joy he gives
us is beyond description.
- (PF.4703)
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