Description:

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A polychrome figure, seated with arms crossed and resting on raised knees. This figure appears to be watching and waiting with great expectancy. The figure is painted deep red on the limbs, with a creamy face and body and black linear details delineating a loincloth and red-banded headdress. Size: 2.3" L x 2.3" W x 4.3" H (5.8 cm x 5.8 cm x 10.9 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.

Ex-Private , San Francisco, CA Collection

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#120124

  • Condition: Very small loss to one upper arm; much pigment remaining.

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February 9, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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