Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A fine, terracotta, hunchbacked figure shown with a recognizably somber attitude and a traditional pose of mourning. The ancient figure sits with both legs folded before him and hands resting on his knees, as he hunches over in a physical manifestation of the harrowing pain of grief. His solemn visage displays large, downcast eyes, a prominent, pointed nose, and an open mouth which produces a death bubble, signifying that the figure is dead. Though nude with a delineated phallus between his legs, he is also heavily adorned with arm bands, annular earspools, and a serpentine headdress wrapped atop his bald head. Liberal remains of black and red pigments are scattered throughout, adding a splash of color to this grief-stricken figure. Size: 4.5" W x 5.3" H (11.4 cm x 13.5 cm)

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. Some scholars have connected these dynamic sculptures of the living as a strong contrast to the skeletal remains whose space they shared, as if they mediated between the living and the dead.

Provenance: private Southern California collection, California, USA, acquired through descent 2006; ex-private California collection, USA, before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168151

Repair to headdress with break lines visible. Expected abrasions and resurfacing, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice manganese deposits throughout.