Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Jalisco, Ameca Gray Type, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A remarkable pottery male figure seated with his legs bent before him. Leaning forward to rest his hands on his knees, the ancient figure gently arches his back and raises his square shoulders, conveying the pensive appearance of a thinker or dreamer. A rectangular coiffure towers above his head, boasting a creamy hue of beige. His stylized visage displays typical Jalisco characteristics, such as a round chin, a sizable, sharp nose, almond-shaped eyes with heavy lids, and a thin-lipped mouth, positioned ajar with a slightly protruding tongue, giving him a trance-like expression. His rectangular body is bare, displaying two petite nipples and a phallus, while both his hands are positioned with the palms facing outwards and fingers spread. The entirety of the figure's body and face are coated in an impressively preserved pigment of burnt sienna. Size: 8.875" W x 14.875" H (22.5 cm x 37.8 cm)

This example was published in "The Shaft Tomb Figures of West Mexico" by Hasso Von Winning on page 124, figure 117 (Los Angeles: Southwest Museum, 1974) - one of the classic tomes on West Mexican art.

Provenance: ex-private Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA collection; ex-private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired in the 1960s

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#163710

Felt pads and collection label on base. Missing tip of tongue and small loss to bottom lip and on pinky fingers of hands. Old repair to left side of flank. Light nicks and scratches throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining pigments, as well as manganese and earthen deposits throughout.