By Carter B. Horsley

The fall auction at Sotheby’s of Pre-Columbian Art had mixed results with a large number of lots, about a third, not selling.

Although some of the best pieces, though not necessarily the most popular, failed to sell, several did very well.

Among the surprising disappointments at the sale was lot 9, shown above, a large Early/Middle Mochica Copper Mask, circa 300 BC to 200 AD. This lot had been estimated at $12,000 to $15,000, which was reasonable given its good condition. Such dramatic masks with their crescent nose-guards have come up occasionally in recent years at auctions, but none with the visor and dangles and most without both shell eyes. The Mochica civilization, which preceded the Incan in Peru, has long been known for its fabulous ceramics, but its bronze and gold work has been appreciating dramatically in recent years and this was a particular lovely piece to highlight any collection. Indeed, some collectors might prefer these copper pieces to those in gold because they have more of an air of antiquity than the shiny gold works.

The major disappointment of the sale, of course, graced the catalogue’s cover, lot 87, a rare Zapotec jade figural urn, Monte Alban I/II, circa 500 to 100 BC., which had been estimated at $200,000 to $300,000. The 8 ¼-inch-high statue, shown at the right, was a ceremonial and ritual container representative of the "God of the Serpent Buccal Mask," a deity known as Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent that was a major divinity in ancient Mexico.

It was probably made after the collapse of the Olmec civilization and shows the deity seated upright with his hands resting on the knees with a flared upper lip and three large upper teeth. "At the center of the forehead is a plume-like element that rises vertically, curves to the right and terminates in two crescent forms that resemble the buttons of a rattlesnake….The urn is carved from a light blue-green jade and polished to a high shine. Remains of cinnabar used to sanctify the vessel before burial cover parts of the surface of the carving and its interior," the catalogue noted.

Given its craftsmanship, age, size, color and rarity, the estimate was by no means unreasonable, but this was not a piece of universal appeal but an objet d’art for a very sophisticated connoisseur. For most collectors, the Mochica mask would be preferable simply because it is larger, striking and easier to visually comprehend, while not as sensual and rich.

Stacy Goodman, Sotheby’s specialist in charge of the sale, said after the sale that the auction "confirms that the market for pre-Columbian works is still selective at the top, as is demonstrated in the failure of the cover lot to sell." But, she added, the auction got a "strong price" for lot 165, a large Proto-Mayan jade head of a deity, late PreClassic/Early Classic, circa 300 BC to 150 AD, which sold for $365,500 and had been estimated at $150,000 to $250,000. The variegated deep moss green stone head was 8 ¾ inches high and had a hole drilled in the middle of the top of the forehead for an attachment. The hole is a bit distracting, but the lot was certainly impressive, but not as interesting as either the Mochica lot or the cover lot.

"There was not much variety among the Mayan objects being offered…, resulting in a weakened market for mid-range Mexican material," Ms. Goodman commented.

Among the lots that did very well were Lot 31, a Middle Chimu gold beaker, Sicán, circa 1000-1250 AD, a 7 ¼ inch-tall cup with flaring bands and five rows of inlays of turquoise and mother-of-pearl roundels. Not all of the roundels were still on the handsome piece, but it sold to an American private collector for $42,550 and had been estimated for $15,000 to $20,000. Lot 32, a Sicán gold mask from a slightly earlier period and in fine condition and similarly abstract in design to the Mochica mask except for not having a nose guard sold for $26,450 and had been estimated at only $8,000 to $12,000.

Lot 64, a Quimbaya gold poporo lid with dipper, circa 500 to 1000 AD, was a very striking piece with four globular projections atop a tall, flared base. It sold for $74,000 and had been estimated at only $30,000 to $40,000.

A Costa Rican stone effigy metate, Atlantic watershed region, circa 800 – 1200 AD was one of the handsomest of its kind and sold for $9,775 and had had a high estimate of $8,000. This three-legged curved low, 26-inch-long table in gray volcanic stone was finely detailed with a feline head with gaping fangs, a great piece.

Lot 82, an Olmec seated figure of a dwarf, Las Bocas, Early Preclassic, circa 1200-900 BC, shown at the left, had great charm fo a ceramic only 2 5/8 inches high. The obese figure, in fine condition, had an estimate of $8,000 to $10,000 and sold for $20,700.

A larger sculpture, in much worse condition, was lot 160, an Aztec stone figure of a youth, Postclassic, circa 1300-1521 AD. This 20-inch high figure of a seated youth with crossed arms resting on raised knees also had great charisma even though his feet were missing. It sold to a European private collector for $41,400 and had been estimated at only $12,000 to $18,000. Surprisingly, a superb stone serpent from the same period in excellent condition sold for less than its low estimate of $30,000. The finely carved figure, 11 inches in diameter, was as good as one could hope for in a work of this size and type although the snake's head was a little broad.

Another excellent work was lot 192, a Honduran marble vessel, Ulua Valley, 900-1100 AD. The 8-inch high, white stone jar had decorative patterning reminiscent of great Chinese bronzes. Estimated at $20,000 to $30,000, it sold to an American private collector for $48,875, an impressive but not inappropriate price for the piece had a stylized human face on its side and handles in the form of ferocious creatures with upturned snouts.

The sale indicated that bargains still abound in this sector. The sale did not have that many blockbusters and the overall quality was not outstanding. Still, discerning collectors made some fine acquisitions and the general good health of the market may unleash better treasures at the next sale.