Astonishing ancient stone figure originating from Pre-Columbian Mezcala culture which flourished in the mountainous area along the Pacific coastline and on the Balsas River basin, a region nowadays known as the State of Guerrero in Southwestern Mexico. The Mezcala tradition remains one of the most enigmatic and unexplored within past civilizations of Mesoamerica. It is famous for its lapidary art, architectural models and abstract, esoteric stone carvings widely interpreted as effigies of idols or votive offerings used for a ritual purpose. Such figures were excavated in the most important sacred and ceremonial sites like the pyramidal complex of The Great Temple (Templo Mayor) in Tenochtitlan. Present figure was made during the Late Preclassic Period (400 BC - 300 BC). It's an extremely rare ritual idol carved in minimalistic yet evocative style, classified as M-10. The carving depicts anthropomorphic form with subtle anatomical delineations like: head with a prominent forehead and defined eyebrow lines under which are visible shaded depressions marking an orbits, slightly protruding nose, as well ellipse shaped mouth, the rest of the body consists of a slightly concave neckline and a torso with vertical cutouts depicting arms and legs. Figure has a particularly smooth surface and evenly finished edges testifying the high level of craftsmanship. Artifact includes a custom presentation stand made of exotic gold burl wood with a handle fitted to the shape of the figure, as well Certificate Of Authenticity document (lifetime authenticity warranty). It's a museum quality piece of Pre-Columbian ancient art searched by collectors! Similar figures can be found on the auctions of the most luxury auction houses like Bonhams, Sotheby's and Christie's (photo of similar figure attached in gallery). Size: 47 mm (W) x 139 mm/169 mm (H) on stand PROVENANCE INFORMATION: Figure was acquired by our company in 2024 from Howard S. Rose - an ancient art expert and the owner of the most reputable and luxury galleries in the the United States specializing in sale of Pre-Columbian ancient art. Previous ownership history: - Harmer Rooke Galleries   gallery collection New York, USA   (collected in the 90's) - Ancient art expert Dr. Arnold Saslow   Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe   gallery collection New Jersey, USA - Ancient art expert Howard S. Rose   Arte Primitivo   gallery collection New York, USA ----------------------------- REFERENCE IN LITERATURE: * Author - Carlo T.E. Gay „Mezcala Stone Sculpture: the human figure” The Museum of Primitive Art, New York * Author - Rosa María Reyna-Robles   „La Cultura Arqueológica Mezcala”   Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia * Authors - Castro, Efrain, et al.   „El arte Mezcala” México 1993   Gobierno Constitucional del   Estado de Guerrero * Magazine - Arqueología Mexicana   „El estado de Guerrero” (Vol. XIV - NUM 82)