Pre-Columbian, Western Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A sizeable, hand-built effigy vessel representing a seated shaman, with gently bent legs outstretched in front of him and elongated arms raised so that he is holding a bowl to his mouth. Adorning the figure's head and symbolizing his shaman status is a horned headdress. The figure's visage is detailed with coffee bean shaped eyes, a straight noble nose, and large protruding ears - presenting an overall countenance that is quite serene, perhaps indicative of a prayerful or trance-like state. A magnificent example of Colima redware! Size: 8.75" W x 17" H (22.2 cm x 43.2 cm)
Colima, located on Mexico's southwestern coast, was during this time part of the shaft tomb culture, along with neighbors to the north in Jalisco and Nayarit. In this culture, the dead were buried down shafts - 3 to 20 meters deep - that were dug vertically or near vertically through the volcanic tuff that makes up the geology of the region. The base of the shaft would open into one or more horizontal chambers with a low ceiling. These shafts were almost always dug beneath a dwelling, probably a family home, and seem to have been used as family mausoleums, housing the remains of many related individuals. A figure like this example was created to be placed inside those mausoleums, perhaps to mediate between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Provenance: private Arcadia, California, USA collection, acquired over twenty years ago
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#132253
Condition
Repaired from about 5 pieces. Arms reattached to shoulder. Right forearm with bowl reattached at the elbow and to mouth and left hand. Head reattached at the neck. Expected surface wear commensurate with age. Earthen and mineral deposits grace the surface.