Provenance Information

Oppenheimer Family, San Antonio, Texas, before 1980 (Note 1); on loan by John and Kathi Oppenheimer to San Antonio Museum of Art, 1998-2013; John and Kathi Oppenheimer by gift to San Antonio Museum of Art, 2023.
Note 1: This object appears in a photograph of the Oppenheimer collection printed in November 1980 (date appears on the reverse of the photograph).

Exhibition Information

N/A

Publication Information

N/A

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

On loan by John and Kathi Oppenheimer to San Antonio Museum of Art; 1998-2013.

Provenance Information

Oppenheimer Family, San Antonio, Texas, before 1998 (note 1); John and Kathi Oppenheimer by gift to San Antonio Museum of Art, 2023.
Note 1: This object appears in a photograph of the Oppenheimer collection dated to 1998. It was likely acquired well before the photograph was made, as many objects in the Oppenheimer collection were acquired before 1980.

Exhibition Information

N/A

Publication Information

N/A

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

San Antonio Museum of Art staff began working with and exhibiting objects from the Oppenheimer collection on loan by 1998, a relationship that culminated in the donation of the collection to the museum in 2023. Documents presented to the museum prior to the donation indicate that Herbert Oppenheimer (1911-1989) was active in Mesoamerican art collecting by 1960; documentation also shows that his son, John Oppenheimer, was actively collecting by 1968.

Provenance Information

John and Kathi Oppenheimer, San Antonio Texas, by 1998; on loan from John and Kathi Oppenheimer to San Antonio Museum of Art, 1998-2013; John and Kathi Oppenheimer by gift to San Antonio Museum of Art, 2023.

Exhibition Information

On loan by John and Kathi Oppenheimer to San Antonio Museum of Art; 1998-2013.

Publication Information

N/A

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

This work was exhibited as a loan to the San Antonio Museum of Art prior to its donation to the permanent collection. SAMA staff first began working with and exhibiting objects from the Oppenheimer collection by 1998, a relationship that culminated in the donation of the collection to the museum in 2023. Documents presented to the museum prior to the donation indicate that Herbert Oppenheimer (1911-1989) was active in Mesoamerican art collecting by 1960; documentation also shows that his son, John Oppenheimer, was actively collecting by 1968.

Provenance Information

Oppenheimer Family, San Antonio, Texas, before 1998 (note 1); John and Kathi Oppenheimer by gift to San Antonio Museum of Art, 2023.
Note 1: This object appears in a photograph of the Oppenheimer collection dated to 1998. It was likely acquired well before the photograph was made, as many objects in the Oppenheimer collection were acquired before 1980.

Exhibition Information

N/A

Publication Information

N/A

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

San Antonio Museum of Art staff began working with and exhibiting objects from the Oppenheimer collection on loan by 1998, a relationship that culminated in the donation of the collection to the museum in 2023. Documents presented to the museum prior to the donation indicate that Herbert Oppenheimer (1911-1989) was active in Mesoamerican art collecting by 1960; documentation also shows that his son, John Oppenheimer, was actively collecting by 1968.

Provenance Information

Dalton Trumbo (died 1976), California; by descent to the Estate of Dalton Trumbo, California, by 1978; sale, Sotheby’s Parke-Bernet, New York, March 3, 1978, lot 65. David Peter Joralemon, New York, by 1990s (inv. no. PCS362); given to the Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn., 2008

Exhibition Information

n/a

Publication Information

“Acquisitions 2009,” Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin (2009): 144.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

N/D

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

n/a

Provenance Information

Fine Arts of Ancient Lands, New York in 1990s; Peter David Joralemon, to 2015; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.

Exhibition Information

N/A

Publication Information

"LACMA Collections," http://collections.lacma.org (accessed 2015).

"Acquisitions 2015," http://artgallery.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Pub_Bull_acquisitions_2015_updated%2012_16_15.pdf (accessed December 1, 2015)."

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

According to vendor, was in the country in the 1990s

Provenance Information

From personal communication: Mr. Larry Kent bought the piece in the 80s from Lore R. Grove. Ms. Grove acquired the piece in Mexico City circa 1970s. No additional provenance information is reportedly available from Mr. Kent.

Exhibition Information

N/A

Publication Information

N/A

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

N/D

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

According to LACMA and AAMD guidelines, if the provenance of a proposed acquisition does not clearly indicate that the antiquity in question was outside its country of origin prior to 1970, the museum may determine to proceed with the acquisition based on an analysis of the benefits and risks, and in accordance with AAMD’s guidelines for the publication of the object and the provenance information known about it, with an explanation of the basis for the museum’s decision. Generally, LACMA believes that, absent evidence of looting or illegal export of any antiquities, but given incomplete provenance establishing that the objects were outside their source countries prior to 1970 and prior to any applicable foreign patrimony laws, it is in LACMA’s and the public interest to accept such objects for the purpose of bringing them into the public domain, caring for them and publishing them, both for scholarly purposes and for the purpose of providing notice to any party, including source countries, that may have a claim or information relating to the provenance of the objects.

Provenance Information

In the collection of Mary C. Lanius of Denver, Colorado since the 1970's.

Exhibition Information

None know prior to DAM acquisition.

Publication Information

None known prior to DAM acquisition.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Cumulative facts and circumstances

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

The site of Tlatilco in central Mexico was discovered by brickmakers mining clay in the 1930's. Its extensive burial grounds were excavated from the 1940's until the 1960's. Thousands of figurines (probably including this example) were uncovered during this period. Its acquisition by the Denver Art Museum facilitates public appreciation and education, and makes this object accessible to scholars for research.

Provenance Information

Throckmorton Fine Art, New York, by 1996; sold to Joseph and Barbara Goldenberg, Los Angeles, 1996.

Exhibition Information

None known.

Publication Information

None known.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Prior to June 4, 2008, the donor signed a will setting forth her intent to donate the work to the museum. Although gifted to the museum, this work has not been accessioned, pending additional review and research.

Provenance Information

Joseph and Barbara Goldenberg, Los Angeles, by 1978.

Exhibition Information

None known.

Publication Information

None known.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Prior to June 4, 2008, the donor signed a will setting forth her intent to donate the work to the museum. Although gifted to the museum, this work has not been accessioned, pending additional review and research.