Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A large example of a one of the expressive shaft tomb hollow pottery figures that were placed around the perimeter of graves sunk several feet below households. This figure wears earrings, a nose ring, and a conical hat. He sits with his knees raised, his arms crossd over his chest, with his body represented by a large slab. His slightly drooping phallus and testes are clearly depicted at the bottom of the figure. White and black squiggled lines form decoration on his body, perhaps representing tattooing or scarification. Size: 9.5" W x 14.2" H (24.1 cm x 36.1 cm)
Clay figures like this one are the only remains that we have today of a sophisticated and unique culture in West Mexico - they made no above-ground monuments or sculptures, at least that we know of, which is in strong contrast to developments elsewhere in ancient Mesoamerica. Instead, their tombs were their lasting works of art: skeletons arrayed radially with their feet positioned inward, and clay offerings, like this one, placed alongside the walls facing inward, near the skulls. A large effigy like this one would most likely have flanked the entrance to a tomb in a way that archaeologists have interpreted as guarding. Some scholars have connected these dynamic sculptures of the living as a strong contrast to the skeletal remains whose space they shared, as if they mediated between the living and the dead.
Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#141539
Condition
Repaired and restored from multiple pieces, especially along the lower part of the body. These are well done and unobtrusive. Nice pigment remaining with extensive deposits on the surface.