Laughing figure "sonriente", ca. 600 - 800 AD ·  Mexico, Gulf Coast, Veracruz · ID: 3052501

Description

fired clay, remnants of white and blue pigment, serving as a figural pipe and rattle, rest., base

The peculiar smile of many Veracruz figures may possibly be attributed to the intake of a specific drug said to induce intense feelings of euphoria, reportedly administered to individuals who knew they were destined to die as sacrificial victims.

The object Laughing figure “sonriente”, ca. 600 - 800 AD with the object ID 3052501 was part of the auction Auction 105 on November 15, 2025. The object with the lot number 3 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,600 with an asking price of EUR 800.

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Comparing literature

Hoffmann, Ulrich (Hg.), Frauen des alten Amerika in Kult und Alltag, Stuttgart 2001, p. 212 ff.

Notices

This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).