Mexico, Remojadas Culture, 250 - 650 Ad, Important Ceramic Dignitary Head

Origin: Mexico, Atlantic Gulf Coast
Culture: Remojadas
Period: 250 - 650 AD
Material: Ceramic with brown-orange slip
Without stand: 24.5 x 19.5 cm
Condition: Small surface erosions
Provenance: Former private collection

Beautiful expressive face of a dignitary with brown-orange slip and black ornamental bituminous material (chapopote). It is characterized by prominent eyebrow arches surmounting open almond-shaped eyes, the iris outlined in black. The eagle-beak nose overlooks a small half-open mouth with thick lips revealing the enhanced dentition of chapopote, the latter being positioned above a thin chin. The elaborate hairstyle consists of hair pulled back, defining the top of the forehead and extending to the top of the ears. A small headband pelletized with delicate ornaments takes position at the base of the skull, the hair itself is treated in three rows of large strands of hair forming a bun at the top of the head. On each side of this scholarly hairstyle, the rest of the hair is positioned, gathered in two large quadrangular appendages. The ears are decorated with circular ornaments (tambas) indicating the rank of the character. Cuff supporting a large circular opening.