Pre-Classical Period, 1200-200 BC. A carved amethyst figurine of a nude male in kneeling pose holding a bowl between his bent knees, a water vessel on his back secured by a tumpline strap passing over the shoulders. See Smith, B., Mexico. A History in Art, Mexico, 1979. 2.1 kg, 14.5cm (5 3/4"). 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 an 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 TL5291 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition. Extremely rare.