Taíno Zemi Maskette on Custom Steel Base

Huge oval eyes, a wide open mouth and spirals curling across the brow.

This zemi maskette on custom steel base is Taíno, from Cuba, the Dominican Republic or Haiti, in the Caribbean, and dates to 1100 – 1200 CE. It is hard stone. Among the Taíno, zemis were generally understood as spirit beings or ancestors. The face is carved in pale cream stone, with large sunken eyes, a small nose and a broad mouth framed by thick lips. Incised spirals and interlocking scrolls run across the forehead and down the cheeks, and round ear spools stand out at each side. A black steel rod and base hold it upright. It is 6.25 inches wide and 10.5 high.

The expression has held up remarkably well.