Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, Chinesco, Protoclassic period, ca. 100 BCE to 250 CE. A wonderful, hand-built pottery figure depicted seated and resting his hands on his knees which bend before him. A huge, semi-circular headdress adorned with applied clay stippling and a zigzag periphery sits atop his stylized countenance, which features slit-form eyes, a large, projecting nose, and a slender mouth. His sizeable face is flanked by a pair of petite ears with annular earspools, as a large chest piece is at the front of his body. Red and beige stripes and striations decorate the entirety of the figure. Size: 4.2" W x 6.2" H (10.7 cm x 15.7 cm)
This style of sculpture is known as Chinesco by collectors because of its stylistic similarities to Chinese art. 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.
Provenance: ex-private Southern California, USA collection, purchased in the early 1970s; ex-Cliff Baker collection, San Diego, California, USA
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#167244
Condition
Possible repair and restoration to periphery of headdress. Expected nicks, abrasions, and resurfacing to areas, all commensurate with age. A few stable hairline fissures to bottom. Char marks to proper right side. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining pigments.