Pre-Classical Period, 12th-2nd century BC. A substantial nude male figure in jade, sitting with crossed legs and cylindrical vase upon his knees, held by both hands; head bald and elongated, pierced ears, engraved eyes, wide nose and narrow mouth. See Instituto Geologico de M?xico, Catalogo Geográfico de las especies minerales de M?xico, Boletin 41, M?xico, 1923; Mirambell, L.E.,Tecnicas Lapidarias Prehispanica, M?xico, 1968; Ward, F., Jade Gem, EUA, 1996; Ridinger, M.L., ‘El Jade’ in Arqueologia Mexicana vol. V, No 27 Septiembre-Octubre, pp.52-59, M?xico, 1997; Mirambell, L.E., Materiales Arqueologicos y material prima’, in Serie Arqueologia INAH, M?xico, 2005; Langenscheidt, A., ‘Los Abrasivos en Mesoam?rica’, Arqueologia Mexicana vol. XIV, No 80 Julio-Agosto, M?xico, 2006, pp.55-60.3.8 kg, 22cm (8 1/2"). Property of an Italian collector living in Torino; part of her family's collection since 1965; by descent from her grandmother in 1993; accompanied by a copy of the Italian export permit and a signed academic report by Emilio J. Bejarano Erosa (Director of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Mexico, 1968-1982); also accompanied by a scholarly note TL5338 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10342-168428. The figure presents Olmec somatic and stylistic forms, with its flat nostrils, enlarged lips, skull which is narrow in the frontal region, elongated and directed upwards, suggesting an intentional cranial deformation. The figure represents an offering made for an important figure, intended as a companion on their journey through the underworld after death. This form of funerary offering was typical among high-ranking burials. The technique of artificially enlarging the skulls of children to achieve an oval shape in maturity was a typical custom of the upper classes in Meso-America.