Help Identify the Artifacts

Hi

I would request help from all the history buff's out here on this forum, found this in a storage box and It kinda looks to me as some ancient artifact from the Mayan, Aztec era. Could anyone throw any light on this, Appreciate it thanks in advance

reply to post by arc_mar


I've seen plenty of Olmec ceramic figurines. Looks vaguely similar but without knowing which region it came from or how they ended up in the storage box there is really noway to know for sure.

reply to post by arc_mar

Could be someones keepsake from kids learning to work with clay.

The first one - the head I believe
if an original and not a reproduction
would be pre columbian. I am trying
to remember exactly what they are
called and I can't. They would throw
them into the corn fields for a good
crop. I have had an original before
but they really aren't worth that much
since there are so many of them still
out there. Maybe $45 - $75. The
other objects I am not familiar with.

Don't take my word for what info I
gave as I have been out of the antique
and antiquity business for a while now.
Its to give you an idea of what to research.

Corn God keeps coming to mind.

Interesting - thank you for sharing your
treasures.

El Da Sensai and Tame one.

They reunited this year, axctually.

The figurine head looks vaguely Egyptian, but the rocks look like petrified clay with holes caused by worms or other underwater animals. Being their exit-breathing holes. It was covered in silt or other material that also filled the holes then later eroded away from the original, now hardened rock, being a less substantial mineral/material. I've seen old riverbed, and lake-beach material like this.

That's my guess anyway.

ZG

There's a reason archaeologists, when photographing artifacts, try to insert a ruler alongside them. Scale is very important; I could be looking at the edges of a ceramic container's handles, or a full on bust.

As well, multiple angles, preferably from all sides and edges, even from those that might not look as "interesting," would be of great help.

If it's from the Americas, I'd say it's Olmec. If it's not, or more modern, then it could be from places as varied as modern China to Mesopotamia. An in-depth description might narrow things down considerably, as well as the aforementioned pictures.

Best of luck.

It's red clay pottery somewhat vaguely in the style of the Aztec -- however, it lacks some of the stylized elements, which makes me think (along with the lack of wear on the object) that it is probably less than 200 years old.

I think it's a good guess that it might be one of the "garden gods."

It's certainly not Mayan or Olmec -- wrong style face. It's an attractive piece and it's a shame there's no documentation with it.

reply to post by crazydaisy



Are these what you're referring to?




Garden God, Central Mexico

This is a nice clay figurine that was made in the form of a human or animal. these where used to throw into the farm fields for offerings to the corn god. They are generally parts of pots or statues that where broken and saved for the spring time offering.

reply to post by arc_mar

`
Where are you from?
Possibly a Mound Builder artefact if your from Eastern U.S.
The rocks with holes might have been used to smooth arrow shafts.

I am from the US, thanks for all the great insights and replies, these were found from an unclaimed box auctioned off in New mexico, would that be of any help?

Thanks once again for the great replies, look for even more

reply to post by arc_mar


dear op

search google images for "teotihuacan figurine head" or you could go to the peabody museum site and search the collections [peabody.yale.edu...] for Teotihuacan. they have alot of them.

From the latest response, I reckon it is a Teotihuacan head fragment. Thanks a bunch everyone, those porous pottery is still leaving me thinking.... hmmmm

reply to post by arc_mar


i would say the sherds are part of a strainer or colander.

btw, the maya also make the exact same figurines except theirs generally have a dot on the forehead. can't tell if yours has that.

peace

reply to post by SLAYER69


Yes the pic and info you provided is
pretty much what I am referring to.
However I have seen them slightly
different - one from the other. Some
have head gear on top of the head
coming down to a point over the nose.