Statue in Uncle's Estate

Hi All,

I am new here, just joined.

I am here looking for an answer, I had no luck with reddit. My aunt sent me a video of my uncle's estate. This picture a still from that video. I will not be able to get there myself for a few weeks.

Does anyone have any ideas what this may be? Or where I can ask?

It is in Northern Florida right now.

Thank you!

 

Looks like a fantasy piece combining Mesoamerican and Egyptian elements. Missing an element that the figure would be holding in his outstretched arms. Over 5' 5", you say. Do you know what the medium is?

Debora

 

You didn't mention the material, but he looks like a Jaina* style Maya terracotta statue. But over 5' 5" is much too tall for a Maya terracotta.

Could have been a 20th century statement piece, made for a (commercial) gallery or a museum.
Would love to see more photos and hear what material he is.

*Jaina is a burial island for Maya nobility, where exceptionally beautiful statues were found.

 

A Maya Jaina statue, but he is only a fraction of the size of your uncle's statue:


https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2015/african-oceanic-n09347/lot.71.html

 

More Jaina statues, so you get an idea. There are several pages:

https://www.latinamericanstudies.org/jaina-standing-figurines.htm

 

Tell us more about your uncle. Did he travel? Collect?

Debora

 

Ceramics that big are usually modern decorator pieces. The longer ceramics are around, the more likely they are to be smashed at some point. That's not to say he's worth little though; I bet someone would like to have him.