A Jade Mace Head Costa Rica, c. 300 – 700 AD An appealing human head with grooved open mouth and teeth indicated, drilled at corners of the mouth, lively wide-open eyes, and drilled at ears for inlay, two raised sections on crown. Large drilled hole at back for attachment. In fine blue-green speckled jade with a high polish. In excellent condition. Provenance: Private collection, Atlanta, GA Enrique Vargas Alfaro, 1960s. Mr. Alfaro was the source of highest quality Pre-Columbian art sold to prestigious collections such as Andre Emmerich, Morton D. May, Frederick and Jan Mayer, and William C. and Carol W. Thibodeaux. Artworks listing him as provenance appear in the collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, The Denver Art Museum, and the Michael C. Carlos Museum. Enrique was the grandson of Anastasio Alfaro (1865-1951), archaeologist, geologist, ethnographer, explorer and writer -- an important personality in the cultural development of Costa Rica. He was a member of the board at the National Museum of Costa Rica and author of Antigüedades en Costa Rica (1892). Length: 3 ¼ inches HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved