Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, Ixtlan del Rio, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A polychrome terracotta male figure, seated in a cross-legged position, holding a rattle, mirror, or fan-shaped object in his left hand, raising it up towards his mouth and appearing to kiss it, and holding a tubular object in the grasp of his right hand. Highly decorated, he wears an fancy headband, earrings, a nose ring, and multiple armbands - and his torso is painted with undulating lines of red, ochre, and black hues - probably intended to represent a textile tunic or body paint as his penis is revealed. He looks out with large almond-shaped eyes, ears adorned with ornaments, and a decorative band with plaited tendrils pulled back over his head. The level of detail is impressive, and all is executed in a style distinct to the Ixtlan del Rio variety of Nayarit figures. A beautiful example from the ancients of Western Mexico. Size: 5.125" L x 7.875" W x 11.75" H (13 cm x 20 cm x 29.8 cm)
Provenance: ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired prior to 2000
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#162047
Condition
Legs repaired and reattached. Right arm reattached. Head reattached but difficult to discern. Losses to nose, ears, headband, left nipple, pinky finger on left hand and other high-pointed areas. Expected surface wear commensurate with age, but nice surviving pigmentation. Scattered mineral deposits grace the surface as do wonderful root marks.