WORTHINGTON FINE ART GALLERIES

Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Vera Cruz, ca. 600 to 900 CE. This skillfully handbuilt, hollow terracotta head was originally part of a larger figure depicting a proud male warrior with a naturalistic visage covered in black bitumen. The sculptor of this piece created a particularly dramatic presence; notice how his eyes leer toward his right. Quite a watchful expression! The artist painted the warrior’s face in jet-black bitumen perhaps to indicate ritualistic face paint or perhaps to indicate the color of his complexion. Our warrior also wears the customary banded helmet and chin strap. A wondrous example from the ancients of Vera Cruz. Custom stand.