Posted 8 years ago
englandnat…
(32 items)
This beautiful and heavy onyx (alabaster or agate?) piece of wall art measures 29 1/2 " x 23 1/2" (2.5 x 2 feet) and weighs in at exactly 20 lbs. It's carved from one slab of 3/4" onyx and is only held to the wood by two small screws with square nuts. It looks like real stone . I'm not sure what type of wood the hanging is made from (walnut, mahogany?). It's also inlaid with a stylized ring of metal bands that surround the figure. The figure itself is damage free with no chips or cracks.
There are no labels or anything stamped into the wood to indicate country of origin or a sculptor. Trying to find anything online that even closely resembles this work of art has been fruitless so I have no idea of the scarcity of the piece. What I would like to know is: The origin of this sculpture, when it was made and if it was produced as a single item or has others out there somewhere similar to it. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
For those of you out there that may recognize it, I was antiquing with my wife last year, saw this and had to have it. After getting to know Mike (who originally listed it) I was able to purchase it from him. All I can say to him is THANK YOU!! It really is a gorgeous treasure.
Hi Simon...Nice to see you on CW. Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad it has pride of place in your home. Keep up the research. I'm sure someone will eventually be able to solve the mystery but then that's half the fun of collecting.
All the best,-Mike- :)
Probably it depicts a Mayan warrior. I think your carving is not from South America.
I believe this is Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec God of War. Check here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huitzilopochtli
mcheconi, Thank you for the link. After reading it the info given there makes me think that I have a left-handed Aztec God of war.
I believe so. There are many other pictures on the internet if you google "Huitzilopochtli" and many of them look very much with your piece. By the way, it is gorgeous.
mcheconi, After reading and looking at images of the God of War, I feel that you have done enough to solve the mystery of who it is. Thank you. Now the question is when was it made and for who? I appreciate your comments.
Thank you
Efesgirl
mikelv85
martika
aura
Wandlessfairy
bijoucaillouvintage &
vetraio50 for the loves. This piece deserves it.
I can't forget to thank mcheconi who was able to solve the mystery of who this God was. Once again, thank you to every one.
You're welcome!