Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Tropical lowlands near Veracruz, San Lorenzo site, Olmec culture, Nacaste phase, ca. 900 to 700 BCE. An important, rare, and exceptional pottery head effigy. The visage is distinct and possibly a portrait. The remarkable sculpture is thick-walled and made of a heavy clay, typical of Lowland Olmec material. The cap or crest is zoomorphic in appearance and is perhaps the head of a creature which holds the human image as it rests on its legs. The creature's arms are visible underneath the ear flanges. Nubbin hands grasp the portrait face which in turn is the belly of the zoomorph. The similarly modeled feet are seen underneath the head. The zoomorph seems to be part insect, part bird, and part mammal. Size: 4.75" W x 6.5" H (12.1 cm x 16.5 cm) This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques. Provenance: ex-private St. Petersburg, Florida USA collection; ex-private southern California, USA collection; ex-Xanadu Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA; ex-Lewis K. Land collection, between 1960s to 1970s. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm. Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #157678