Featured Stone Figure / Head

So, my grandpa traveled/worked in Latin America in 1950s and brought things home — some seem like touristy nick-nacks; others, like this seem...special.

Any idea what it might be?

PS — How do I edit photo so that they appear right-side-up?

 

open them in windows photo viewer first and flip them , then upload them

 

Without documented provenance (a history of where an object came from), it can be very difficult to authenticate precolumbian artifacts. That said, it looks like yours is made from Mesoamerican greenstone (jade or serpentine from Mexico or Guatemala). The style of carving is not typical of genuine precolumbian pieces, particularly in the way of rendering the eyes and mouth. And the framing elements are a little odd. There has been a thriving industry in producing reproductions and souvenirs in Mexico at least since the late 19th century.

 

Thank you!
If you were me, what would you do with it?

FWIW, grandpa was an amateur archeologist and went on digs in Guatemala. This is the family story, anyway!

 

If your grandfather was working on a professional excavation, it seems unlikely that he would have been allowed to keep anything potentially significant. But he might have bought things from local vendors.

As to what to do with it, that is entirely up to you. Keep it as a family heirloom. Or there are plenty of "precolumbian" artifacts being sold on ebay, if you are looking to sell it.

 

Thanks!
I didn’t mean to suggest that he had something important from a dig — just that he was in Guatemala, and interested in the art + culture there...

 

If you’re listing it be careful how you title and phrase it since you’re not sure what it is. Figure out the price you’re willing to accept and list it a bit higher with a BEST OFFER (if selling where that is appropriate). Photograph all sides carefully (IMO your pictures are very readable but you need to do it on a plain ground without any distractions although something for scale always helps).

Title it something like Vintage Latin American Green Stone Carved Face Head Object Sculpture and see what responses you get. You can say it was inherited from your grandfather who spent time in Latin America mid 20th century but I wouldn’t go much further into detail than that.

Prior to selling I’d send a few photos to museums or listed galleries of PreColumbian Art and see if anyone responds one way or another. I think it’s interesting and love the color. I’d get it checked out if I owned it. I have an Olmec head that’s drilled and I wear it a lot on a cord although it’s heavy.

 

If you're using an iPhone, they tend to post images sideways, and I've not a clue how to fix it other than someone else re-posting it!!!!!!!

​

 

Thank you Reader, I really appreciate your feedback + ideas!

 

Good observation.
Now that Aquitaine has reoriented him, I can see that the "framing elements" are probably supposed to be his arms.
I find it curious that the back of the figure has not been finished at all. Similar objects that I have handled have been finished in the round. Almost as if someone was working from photographs, where the backs are rarely shown.