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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

Recommended Items at Auction

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Mexico Sterling Sweater Clips W Abalone Stone
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Mexico Sterling Sweater Clips W Abalone Stone
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$195 Bids
Petro glyph Stone
Mar 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Petro glyph Stone
by Old Barn Auction
Est: $40- $1,000
$201 Bid
Vintage Mexican Festive Carved Wood Painted Snake Mask, Possibly by M. Guerrero
Mar 01, 12:00 PM EST
Vintage Mexican Festive Carved Wood Painted Snake Mask, Possibly by M. Guerrero
by RB Fine Arts
Est: $200- $300
$501 Bid
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Mexico Blackware Woman With Child Figure
Feb 23, 9:00 AM MST
Mexico Blackware Woman With Child Figure
by Monarch Auction and Estate Services
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
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Mexican Jamie Quiroz Alba 980 Silver Large Tribal Mexico Pin Brooch
Feb 21, 9:30 AM EST
Mexican Jamie Quiroz Alba 980 Silver Large Tribal Mexico Pin Brooch
by Figlio Designs LLC
Est: $150- $300
$600 Bids
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Vintage Citlalin Sterliing Mexico Taxco Bi-Metal Brass and Silver Earrings Figur
Feb 21, 9:30 AM EST
Vintage Citlalin Sterliing Mexico Taxco Bi-Metal Brass and Silver Earrings Figur
by Figlio Designs LLC
Est: $100- $200
$280 Bids
Mexican Guerrero Painted Metal Barbone Mask
Feb 25, 10:00 AM EST
Mexican Guerrero Painted Metal Barbone Mask
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $200- $300
$1250 Bids
Mezcala Pre-Columbian Carved Greenstone Figure
Mar 20, 11:00 AM EDT
Mezcala Pre-Columbian Carved Greenstone Figure
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
Ethnographic Figure of a Man with a Bird, 19th C.
Mar 13, 11:00 AM EDT
Ethnographic Figure of a Man with a Bird, 19th C.
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $200- $400
$500 Bids
Mexican Polychrome Zoomorphic Alebrije
Mar 13, 11:00 AM EDT
Mexican Polychrome Zoomorphic Alebrije
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
32ct Natural Mexican Fire Opal Carving, Mask
Mar 01, 2:00 PM EST
32ct Natural Mexican Fire Opal Carving, Mask
by Connoisseur Online
Est: $75- $150
$600 Bids
Mexican Painted & Carved Wood Animal Alebrijes, 3
Mar 13, 11:00 AM EDT
Mexican Painted & Carved Wood Animal Alebrijes, 3
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $200- $400
$500 Bids
Tlatilco Pre-Columbian Pottery Masks, 2
Mar 06, 11:00 AM EST
Tlatilco Pre-Columbian Pottery Masks, 2
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
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Pre-Columbian Guerrero Mezcala Jade Figure, ex-Schmitt collection, Certified
Mar 09, 10:00 AM EST
Pre-Columbian Guerrero Mezcala Jade Figure, ex-Schmitt collection, Certified
by Eternity Gallery
Est: $4,000- $8,000
$6500 Bids
Antique Mexican Not Matching Spurs Hand Forged
Mar 15, 12:00 PM EDT
Antique Mexican Not Matching Spurs Hand Forged
by ZevAntiques
Est: $200- $300
$1000 Bids
Mexican Terra Cotta masks
Feb 24, 6:00 PM EST
Mexican Terra Cotta masks
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
CARVED WOOD LAKSHMI AND MEXICAN IDOL FIGURINES
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
CARVED WOOD LAKSHMI AND MEXICAN IDOL FIGURINES
by Antique Arena Inc
Est: $100- $150
$500 Bids
MAYAN STONE HEAD
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
MAYAN STONE HEAD
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $600- $800
$2500 Bids
MEZCALA STONE MASK, 700 BCE -200 CE
Feb 27, 8:00 AM PST
MEZCALA STONE MASK, 700 BCE -200 CE
by Scollard Auctions
Est: $2,000- $4,000
$1,4000 Bids
CHONTAL STONE MASK, LATE PRECLASSIC 300 BCE-100 BCE
Feb 27, 8:00 AM PST
CHONTAL STONE MASK, LATE PRECLASSIC 300 BCE-100 BCE
by Scollard Auctions
Est: $800- $1,200
$4500 Bids
BEAUTIFUL JADE MEZCALA MASK
Feb 27, 8:00 AM PST
BEAUTIFUL JADE MEZCALA MASK
by Scollard Auctions
Est: $800- $1,600
$4000 Bids
COLIMA POTTERY HUNCHBACK FIGURE
Feb 27, 8:00 AM PST
COLIMA POTTERY HUNCHBACK FIGURE
by Scollard Auctions
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$6000 Bids
ANCIENT MESOAMERICAN OLMEC JADE MASK WITH STAND
Mar 02, 10:00 AM EST
ANCIENT MESOAMERICAN OLMEC JADE MASK WITH STAND
by Antique Arena Inc
Est: $100- $150
$500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Mexican Items


Artemis Fine Arts

Artemis Fine Arts

Duran Arte y Subastas

Duran Arte y Subastas

Auctions at Showplace

Auctions at Showplace

Scollard Auctions

Scollard Auctions