6th-9th century AD. A mask composed of carefully shaped, tessellating jade segments presenting a human face with almond-shaped eyes, a hooked nose in high-relief, small nostrils, full lips held slightly ajar revealing the top row of teeth and fleshy chin; convex profile; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. Coe, M.D., The Maya, London, Thames & Hudson, 2002, pp.104, 107, 136, for a Late Classical head produced using this technique; see The British Museum, museum number Am.9599, for a stylistically similar mask; see Mayan jade masks held by the the National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico; cf. Vera, B.O., City Of The Gods The Pre-Columbian Cultures of Mexico, Italy, 1992, p.140, for a similar style of face. 1 kg total, 22.2cm including stand (8 3/4"). Property of a Brussels gallery; previously with J. Gerena Fine Art, New York, USA, 2000; accompanied by scholarly note TL05401 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10950-178816. The jade mosaic pieces would once have been affixed to a wooden backing, which has since been replaced with a more durable support. The parallels referred to in the literature were both discovered in royal tombs. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price Condition Report Fine condition, cracks to some of the jade segments.