Pre Columbian Tumaco La Tolita Pottery Head

Circa 300 BC AD,  From an area along the Pacific Coast of southern Colombia and Northern Ecuador.  Expressive early example of a priest with fine details, almond eyes,  naturalistic nose with ornament and pointed chin. The overall head has an elongated foreheads suggesting artificial skull deformation and wrinkles suggesting an elder.  Size 4-1/4 inches H.; 5-1/2 on custom mount.  Very fine example of an art that is not often this naturalistic. Cp. TUMACO. 1000 Ans D'Art Precolumbien, by Sabolo, Y., Soustelle, J. 1986, Geneva.  Compare A. Lebbe's, 'Colombia Before Columbus 'for history and examples of these fabulous plastic works.  Provenance:    Ex Sonoma County Collector