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Aztec 15th/16th Century Stone Eagle Head 'with Pre-1970 Provenance'

Aztec 15th/16th Century Stone Eagle Head 'with Pre-1970 Provenance'

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Aztec 15th/16th Century Stone Eagle Head 'with Pre-1970 Provenance'

About the Item

An important and powerful Aztec Basalt Sculpture of an Eagle Head, with Pre-1970 Provenance, which is compliant with the UNESCO Convention of that year. PROVENANCE - January, 1969 - Original Bill of sale from Jules Berman, sold to Murray Korda. (Jules Berman was a major L.A. Collector from the 1960s-1980s who founded the Kahlua Liqueur Company, featured Pre-Columbian sculptures in the print ads for his liqueur., and even displayed Pre-Columbian Sculptures on Kahlua Billboards on Sunset Blvd. Murray Korda was a famous violinist in L.A. during that period who appeared on TV and in movies, and led a renowned Gypsy Orchestra.) AUTHENTICATION - June 20, 1969 - Original paper written by Hasso von Winning(with photo and blindstamp). (Hasso von Winning was a famous Pre-Columbian Scholar who worked at the Southwest Museum in L.A. during this period and authored the important early Pre-Columbian volume "Pre-Columbian Art of Mexico and Central America", 1968 The creator of this sculpture was a master artist, who captured the ferocity and beauty of this raptor with several unique details: - The beak was polished so that the black basalt stone would strongly contrast with the rough surfaces of the feathers on the rest of the head. -At the back of the head are 5 spiral design elements which are Aztec symbols referencing the sun in its movement through the sky. These Kinetic elements (especially the one on the crest) connect the power of the sun to this sky-dweller, and give the sculpture added movement, The eagle was the TOTEM animal of the Aztecs. Their creation myth posits that when they arrived in the Valley of Mexico they saw an eagle with a snake in its mouth perched on a cactus, and realized that they had to build their capital, Tenochtitlan in that location. The most elite fighters in the Aztec army were the Eagle Warriors, and Eagle Warrior Houses were dedicated for their use throughout the Empire(There is an Eagle Warrior House at the Templo Mayor in Mexico City) All of these buildings, and many temples were decorated with eagle heads. This sculpture has a mortise in the bottom(See photo) which would have been joined to a tenon attached to the wall of such a building. The Eagle depicted here is the Mexican Eagle(Crested Caracara), and this is the eagle depicted on the Mexican national flag, where it is shown perched on a cactus with a snake in its mouth, to reference the Aztec creation myth.

Dimensions:
Height: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Width: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
Style:
Pre-Columbian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Stone,Carved
Place of Origin:
Mexico
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
1400-1521
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. The condition is excellent for a 500-yr. old sculpture. It is in original, as-found, archeological condition. There is some normal wear from prolonged burial, but there are no losses, no breakage, and no restoration.
Seller Location:
Culver City, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU8673234407162

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