*Urne cultuelle

representing a seated lord with his legs crossed. The whole sculpture is modelled with finesse and precision. The figure is seated cross-legged and a loincloth covers his legs. The hands, whose long fingers are carefully treated, rest flat on the knees. A tubular necklace, from which a large pectoral plate hangs, rests on the shoulders. The eyes are carved in the shape of almonds and the pupils are hollowed out. The ears are adorned with large circular loops from which geometric pendants are suspended. The head is topped with an elaborate headdress. The Zapotec civilization developed as early as 500 BC in the Oaxaca Valley in southern Mexico, but its golden age was between 200 and 700 AD. The neuralgic centre of this culture is located in the capital, Monte Alban, which concentrates at the same time the political, economic and religious powers. From an artistic point of view, the Zapotec culture is famous for its architecture, but also for its production of funerary ceramics. Among the latter, one finds numerous vessels-effigies such as urns, representing richly adorned characters, often with the attributes of the gods, in particular Huehueteotl, god of fire, Murciélago, bat god reigning over the dead, Xipe Totec, god of spring and new vegetation, or - as here - Cocijo, god of rain. Good state of conservation Brown terracotta with traces of polychromy Zapotec - Mexico, 450 - 750 AD 19 x 15.5 x 10.9 cm This funerary urn is a magnificent example of Zapotec ceramics. The artist has shown great realism and precision in the execution of his work, which also fascinates us by its great expressive power and its rich iconography. Provenance: Former Charles Lenars collection, 1960. A thermoluminescence test from the QED laboratory will be given to the buyer. Lot presented in Temporary Importation