Description:

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Manabi Province, Jamacoaque (Jama Coaque or Jama-Coaque), ca. 500 CE. An imposing and expressive example of a standing warrior, holding a standard in one hand and a staff in the other. Slightly squatting with legs bent at the knees, the figure is heavily adorned in a loincloth suspended by a layered belt, a thick necklace, anklets, knee bangles, and a bulbous, spiked helmet with hanging flanges to each side. His fierce visage projects forward, presenting arched brows, large, almond-shaped eyes, a long, curved nose, thick lips slightly open, and a chin beard. Size: 5" L x 7.2" W x 13.6" H (12.7 cm x 18.3 cm x 34.5 cm); 14" H (35.6 cm) on included custom stand.

This figure is one of the best-known aspects of the Jamacoaque (Jama Coaque) artistic legacy, a realistic pottery figure that is probably a portrait of an individual. He or she may once have also had gold and/or stone ornaments. Headdresses, jewelry, and styles of dress were all signifiers of rank and social status within many pre-Columbian societies; to a member of the Jamacoaque, this figure probably had even deeper meaning, and they may have recognized who they were seeing.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Romy Rey collection, London, UK; ex-Woolley and Wallis, Salisbury, UK, April 3, 2012, lot 780; ex-London, UK collection, acquired from the late 1950s through 1970s from the London art market

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#183889

  • Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines; all done very well and difficult to notice. Loss of one flange on helmet, some spikes, and chipping with minor loss to brim, as well as nicks and abrasions to surface, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, great presentation with good detail and nice mineral deposits throughout. Old collection label on verso.

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March 8, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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