Lot 146, Auction 3/19/2026: Pre-Columbian Teotihuacan Jade Maskette Pendant

$1,430.00

In stock

Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Teotihuacan, ca. 200 to 600 CE. A jade maskette pendant carved with serene, inward-focused expression, this Teotihuacan face carries the unmistakable aesthetic of Mesoamerica’s great metropolis. The stone has been shaped into a rounded, gently tapering head, its surface smoothed by ancient craftsmanship and softened over centuries. The features emerge with quiet clarity: heavy lidded eyes, a long, narrow nose pierced with two nostril holes, and a broad mouth rendered as a single sculpted plane. The reverse remains natural and slightly convex, with a drilled suspension hole at the upper edge. This feature suggests the maskette once hung from a cord or was sewn onto garments or regalia, where it functioned as a potent emblem. Teotihuacan maskettes did not aim to depict individuals; instead, they distilled the human face into an archetype, expressing ancestral presence, divine authority, or spiritual transformation. Size: 3.6″ W x 4.3″ H (9.1 cm x 10.9 cm)

Lapidary artists of Teotihuacan favored restrained detailing, focusing on proportion, balance, and an intentionally impassive expression. Their approach lends the maskette a timeless, meditative stillness. The carved visage feels both personal and universal, hovering between deity and ancestor, ritual participant and symbolic ideal. This pendant reflects the refined stoneworking traditions of Teotihuacan, offering a direct link to the city’s ceremonial world and the enduring power of the human face as a vessel of meaning.

Condition: Weathering to surface with chips, nicks, and loss of detail, all commensurate with age. Scattered earthen deposits to surface. Not recommended for wear.

Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

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