Teotihuacan-Style Malachite or Hardstone Carved Deity Figurine

This is a hand-carved decorative figurine depicting a stylized pre-Columbian deity in the Teotihuacan or Mayan tradition. The item is crafted from a vibrant green semi-precious stone, likely malachite, onyx-marble, or a dyed hardstone, characterized by deep emerald hues with natural white and light green veining. The figure features a prominent square-jawed head with almond-shaped eyes, a wide nose, and a straight-line mouth recessed into the face. The body is squat, with arms folded across the chest and simple vertical incisions representing fingers or clothing details. The base is carved to suggest feet or a supporting platform. Regarding condition, the piece shows visible surface abrasions, particularly around the eyes and top of the head, where light-colored dust or oxidation has settled into the grooves. Several small impact chips (flea bites) are visible along the sharp edges of the ears and base. The craftsmanship utilizes blocky, geometric forms typical of mid-20th-century Mexican souvenir or 'tourist' art, designed to mimic ancient artifacts. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures, suggesting it was produced as a decorative folk-art piece, likely dating from the 1960s to the 1980s.

I have examined the Teotihuacan-style decorative figurine via the provided description and visual data. The piece is crafted from a green hardstone, likely a variety of Mexican onyx or calcite often dyed to emulate malachite's appearance. Based on the geometric, blocky carving style and the specific wear patterns, this item is a 20th-century 'tourist' or souvenir piece rather than an authentic pre-Columbian artifact. The visible abrasions and 'flea bite' chips are consistent with mid-century household display. In the current secondary market for Mexican folk art and mid-century modern decor, these pieces are valued for their aesthetic appeal rather than archaeological significance. Demand is stable but high supply keeps prices accessible. Market comparables on platforms like eBay and Etsy frequently place similar 1960s-1970s hardstone carvings in the sub-$100 range. The value is limited by the lack of provenance and its mass-produced nature as a souvenir. Crucially, a definitive mineralogical identification cannot be made through images alone; a physical scratch test or UV light examination would be required to confirm if the stone is natural malachite or a dyed composite. Furthermore, to rule out authentic antiquity status—though highly unlikely given the stylistic traits—a thermoluminescent dating test or examination by a specialist in Mesoamerican archaeology would be necessary. For insurance purposes, this is classified as a decorative collectible.