Mexican Items

Mexican ethnographic and indigenous artifacts have a thriving market among those that appreciate the rich histories told by these objects, as well as those who appreciate the unique aesthetics that they embody. Mexico was the home of some of the great early civilizations including the Mayans and the Aztecs, and preserved artifacts from these cultures are particularly prized.

Many of these pre-Columbian artifacts have survived until present day, appearing in national museums and illustrious private collections. The Olmecs, the first Mesoamerican society, were the first to establish pottery and fine art traditions circa 1500 B.C. The Mayans, Aztecs, and other indigenous cultures thrived over the next two millennia, producing a wealth of stunning artifacts until the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century.

The ethnographic and indigenous artifacts of Mexico were highly influenced by European traditions, representing an enchanting amalgamation of cultural and visual sensibilities. Mexican ethnographic and indigenous artifacts include textiles and pottery; tools and jewelry fabricated from jade, copper, and gold; as well as stone masks and sculptures.

Quick Facts

• In 2011, Sotheby’s sold a jade Olmec mask for more than $310,000
• The pre-Columbian Mayan population numbered around 8 million people, covering a geographic range that now encompasses Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. Mayan artifacts continue to be among the most sought after items from Mesoamerica
• Pre-Columbian artifacts from Mexico are often worth tens or hundreds, and sometimes millions of dollars, and are among the most prized objects from any culture in history