Description:

Iztlan del Rio, West Mexico, Nayarit. This finely crafted figure is an endearing cargador or carrier. Such bearers provided a pivotal service to their communities, because the wheel was not used to assist vehicles in transporting burdens. Curiously archaeologists, in their investigations of shaft tombs, have only found wheels attached to miniature objects that resemble toys. This figure is an exemplar of Nayarit style with its expressive visage, positioning, and gesture. The Nayarit artists also paid great attention to hair created with countless finely, incised lines as we see in this example. Most striking about this cargador is the physiognomic delineation of his overworked back. Note how his spine arcs and every rib is detailed. We can virtually feel his aches and pains as he carries yet one more vessel on his shoulder. Ixtlan del Rio of southern Nayarit were among the first West Mexican ceramics to be recognized by scholar Carl Lumholtz who made a distinction between the more naturalistic forms and the more abstract forms of the Ixtlan figures (Lumholtz, Carl., Unknown Mexico, 2 vols. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1902) 7"H x 5"W x 6"L Provenance: Ex-Belaire, CA collection of 1930's silent movie star Lupita Tovar. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back.  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids, papered by our parent company, Artemis Gallery Ancient Art.  The starting price is the lowest price at which the lot can sell.

  • Condition: Missing part of left ear and head rejoined at neck, minimal fill and retouch, very good condition.

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October 11, 2013 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000