One of the most magnificent Pre-Columbian art
styles belongs to the ancient artisans of the
pacific coast region of Mexico that lies in the
shadow of the 13,000foothigh volcano Colima.
The full flourishing of the Colima art style
produced masterpieces, such as this green stone
funerary mask, that are among the high points in
Pre-Columbian art. Miraculously enough, this
stone mask was created not though the use of
metal tools, for the stone is too hard to be
worked by the metals available to the Pre-
Columbian Colima. Instead, the artists used only
such tools as hard stones, twine, sand and water.
With these few materials a Colima artist sawed,
carved, sanded, drilled, abraded and polished the
raw stone to produce this sophisticated work of
sculptural art--one which is dramatically
appealing to all who experience its spirited
beauty.
- (PF.2627)
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