Toltec-Mazapan Seated Female
13 September 2024
Description

From the ruins of Tula in Hildago, Mexico; Post-classic 900-1200 A.D. Seated female: press mold made; flat "ginger-head man" style; elaborate decorations built into mold. Terracotta mold. Condition is good. From the Virginia Lee Collection. Purchased 1968-1972 from Kennard Hartwell Galleries. Have receipt.

Dimensions

h. 6 1/2"

Acquired from
Inherited
For sale
Yes
Answered within 2 days
By David U.
Sep 15, 19:31 UTC
Fair Market Value
$1,200 - $2,600 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Hello,

This item is a Toltec-Mazapan Seated Female Figure, likely from the post-classic period (900–1200 AD) in Mesoamerican history. It is crafted from terracotta using a press-mold technique, displaying the distinct characteristics of the “ginger-head man” style typical of the Mazapan phase of the Toltec civilization. The figure has an elongated, flattened head with exaggerated facial features, a hallmark of Toltec representation, reflecting the society’s interest in stylized human forms.

Historically, this piece is associated with the Toltec culture, which flourished in Tula, in the present-day state of Hidalgo, Mexico. The Toltecs are often remembered for their militaristic influence, temple architecture, and the central role of human sacrifice in their rituals. Their art often emphasized militaristic themes, and their influence reached far beyond central Mexico, impacting later civilizations like the Aztecs. Figures like this one may have held religious or ceremonial importance, serving as offerings or symbolic representations of deities or revered figures.

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