Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Jamacoaque culture (also Jama Coaque), ca. 0 to 500 CE. A skillfully hand-built, modeled, and beautifully painted shaman figure who sits upon a four-legged stool and is highly decorated; while his body is nude save a loincloth, he is bedecked with a tall helmet/headdress adorned with an applied band, elaborate earrings, a nose ornament, a 'beaded' necklace, coordinating 'beaded' anklets, as well as painted armlets and leglets. Also note that considerable remains of yellow, red, and blue-green pigment applied to his jewelry after firing have survived the tests of time. The blue-green embellished details were probably intended to represent coveted jade, turquoise, or even emerald. Size: 3.75" W x 6.1" H (9.5 cm x 15.5 cm)
Dress and ornament were identifiers of clans and ethnic groups as well as markers of rank among many ancient American peoples. Information encoded in elements of clothing and jewelry would have been understood by the members of those groups. This individual was most certainly an important individual given his elaborately decorated state.
For more on these Jamacoaque figures see "Pre-Columbian Art of South America" by Alan Lapiner and "Amerindian Signs, 5000 Years of Pre-Columbian Art in Ecuador" by Valdez.
Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000.
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#156563
Condition
Repaired from several large pieces, with resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Abrasions and minor nicks to limbs, body, stool, and head, with softening to some finer details, fading to original pigment, and light encrustations. Nice remains of original pigment throughout.