THE FAMOUS

TOLTEC SMILING HEADS

IN THE

PETICH'S OLD MEXICAN COLLECTION.

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Petich's old Mexican Collection has been pronounced by the foremost archaeologists, both American and from Europe, as the most startling one of its kind after the collection of the Museum in Mexico City. But notwithstanding its great value the ten Toltec Heads, which have been called the Mexican *Tanagras*, and whose exact copies in plaster we can now offer to the public, have been judged more valuable, more "absorbingly interesting" in themselves than all the other 1610 previous objects of which said collection is composed.

It would be impossible even to quote the many expressions of admiration that these heads have called forth from newspapers, reviews and scholars. After centuries of smiling at the skeletons of their masters under their native tumulus they were permitted to smile at the sons of a far later civilization, from the shelves of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to which the owner generously loans all such treasures.

But we cannot restrain quoting one, at least, of said Archaeologists whose high-standing, competency and of consciensuous judgment are thoroughly unquestioned. In his interesting pamphlet, "NORTH AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES," the renowned Frank T. Robinson says:

"The Toltec terra cottas, comprising in one group eight heads, (1) three-quarters life size, will excite interest, as much on account of the art evidenced in their construction and conception as for their surprising suggestions of Asiatic character in expression of facial lines and ornament. These objects alone would be worthy of the best scholarly treatment; they are easily equal to the Greek product in exterior line and plain, and stand upon the most remarkable specimens of antique sculpture extant."
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"It is fair to presume that these objects were produced at least three centuries (about the year 1000 A. D.) after the Toltecs had settled among Cordilleras, and that they were the work of the Tollan designers in their first city, founded by them in the memory of their native country in the Kingdom of Tollan."

"The Toltec heads mentioned are *unique in the art world*, seemingly typical creations and the environment of their production evidenced one important factor, i. e., that they were at the time at peace with the world; that their government fostered art and peace, and plenty *smiled* upon their land."

"This was a land where sculptors could grow, *and yet all we have to show of the efforts of these modern Greeks are these few heads.*"

"Here they are a smiling row worthy remnants of worthy idols, worth worshipping for their beauty."

(1)—They are ten—L. Castelvecchi & Co.

(2)—The calling the attention of the reader in the most important parts with italic characters is from us.—(Castelvecchi & Co.)

(3)—All together they are 1,620—Castelvecchi & Co.

"Two of them wear a semi-crownlike object on their receding, though intelligent foreheads, with a key design in centre. Their eyes are almoned-shaped, the cheek bones high, the nose in the fleshy parts flat, the chin stunted. They are too presentable for chinaware, as we know them, and yet they are almost perfect Chinese types. Who knows but some Buddha worshipper founded his religion here and lived up to it, and when he died or had been dead long enough to add mystery to his life was idealized? And these are the remnants of his image."

"Another head, the face wreathed in smiles, eyes protruding, lips pouting and cheek bones high, possess the African cast of feature."

"Still another very broad face with pointed tongue projecting beyond the teeth. This is suggestive of Egyptian character, each head differs from its neighbors, and yet all are delicately finished and properly modelled. Are they portraits, gods, or ideals for domestic influence upon the mother? The types are rarely found; there seems to have been only one of a kind. No replicas or moulds have ever been discovered and now they look down wisely enough upon the romantic mummery set up all about them. "There is nothing in the collection of 1,400 or more pieces, (3) which even hint at so much thought—there is a past dignity of tradition and legend, almost inspiration permeating these silent guests arranged among a congress of barbarous ideals and fetiches."

"Such sculptural products were possible only to highly developed and long existing well governed people. The Toltec were such a race. They were for a couple of centuries too strong to be troubled with tribal warfare, hence their lives were not so precarious as to prevent the growth of culture."

(a)—In order to quickly introduce these rare subjects we will, for a time, make the low price of $15.00 per set. Single copy $1.50.

L. CASTELVECCHI & CO.,

143 GRAND STREET,

NEW YORK.

208 W21

Louis Petich.
Ex Italian Minister
to
Mexico and Peru.

a disingenuous