Lot 23

Museum-Exhibited Olmec Serpentine Maskette

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Museum-Exhibited Olmec Serpentine Maskette

Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000

Starting Bid: $4,000

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
June 11, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Olmec regions, ca. 1000 - 600 BCE. Carved grayish-green serpentine stone maskette having well carved, expressive facial features, broad nose with drilled nostrils, parted lips with upper teeth, drilled at the corners of his mouth, a tiny drilled circle in the center of his mouth, and an arched brow line. Biconical drilled suspension hole in the top center ridge and two smaller attachment holes in his ear lobes, one with an open edge. A beautiful example. Size: 3.75”H x 3”W (9.5 x 7.6cm).

Provenance: Ex. George Pepper Collection, acquired between 1951 - 1969, then to Jeanette Pepper Bello, by inheritance. Exhibited: Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA., Pre-Columbian Art of Mexico and Central America, September 22 - December 1, 1974, cat. no. 51.

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Item # 71458

  • Condition: Otherwise intact. Excellent ancient surface patina.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 + $1,000