A three-dimensional miniature temple model pendant with engraved niche and steps. Miniature temple models in the Mezcala culture are not only objects of ritual and funerary worship, but above all "exalting symbols of man's aspiration to eternal life", writes Carlo Gay. They are carved, two- or three-dimensionally, in a wide variety of stones, including calcite, andesite, serpentine, porphyry and a green and white marbled stone with a porphyry texture, as in this case, but never in diorite. As is often the case with Mezcala anthropomorphic idol sculptures, but also here with this temple by Carlo Gay, the sculpture can be adapted to the natural shape of a pebble. This rare temple model, published by Carlo Gay in his reference work, has suspension holes that show that this miniature temple model was also a pendant. Mezcala, Guerrero region, 300 BC to 300 AD, Mexico Green and white stone, superb old polished patina and significant traces of old oxidation H. 8.2 cm See : Mezcala Ancient stone sculpture from Guerrero Mexico, Ed. Balsas Publications 1992, pp. 167-182. Provenance : Jean Roudillon Collection before 1970 Publication: Reproduced p. 181 no. 208 in: Mezcala Ancient Stone Sculpture from Guerrero Mexico, Carlos Gay and Frances Pratt, Ed. Balsas 1992