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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Face
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Face

Artist/Maker (Panama)
Dateca. 800-1200
Mediumvolcanic stone
DimensionsOverall: 4 1/8 x 4 1/4 x 1 1/8 in. (10.5 x 10.8 x 2.9 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Greta Gurr
Terms
    Object number90.0126.73
    DescriptionThe volcanic stone used to create this piece most likely comes from the Baru Volcano, located in Chiriquí province, where the piece was found. The Baru Volcano was highly active during the last two thousand years, so it may have been viewed as a great source of metaphysical power due to the geological impact of these seismic eruptions. Volcanic stone was commonly used during this time for the creation of decorative pieces such as small anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures. The importance of volcanic stone parallels the importance of this face to the artist. Although it is simple and worn from age, this small piece shows the use of a universal symbol - a smiling face enclosed in a circular form - which calls attention to the development of the portrait in Panamanian art.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 800-1500
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 800-1200
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 800-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Teotihuacán
    ca. 250-550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Aztec
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Diquis
    ca. 700-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Classic Veracruz
    ca. 600-800
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    ca. 450-650
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 600-900
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 700-1000
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Willem de Kooning
    1938-1940