**Originally Listed At $500**

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, Pihuamo, ca. 200 BCE to 300 CE. A fabulous clay figure shown seated with his hand resting on his legs. Enveloped in a lustrous red glaze, the fascinating figure gazes forward from annular eyes above a pointed nose, and minimalist mouth, all flanked by a pair of triangular ears. His thick body displays short legs that are slightly bent at the knees, a hunched back, and lengthy, tubular arms. A set of 3 large petaloid embellishments project from his neck, likely intended to represent a pectoral. An intriguing example. Size: 5.9" W x 8.4" H (15 cm x 21.3 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. A large effigy like this one most likely would have flanked the entrance to a tomb in a way that archaeologists have interpreted as guarding. Some scholars have interpreted 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 Healy collection, Studio City, California, USA, acquired July 2014; ex-Arte Primitivo, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Rutherford collection, Phoenix, Arizona, acquired 1970s

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.

#166562

Proper left foot, right arm, right leg, and head reattached with some restoration and break lines visible in a few areas. Expected nicks and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining pigments and rich earthen deposits on interior.