Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A charming pottery vessel in the form of a nude male figure in the transformative moment of a ritual; poised leaning forward with nostrils flared and cheeks flattened as though inhaling, his closed-lipped smile and barely open eyes suggesting the euphoria of intoxication. Biceps adorned with stippling suggestive of ceremonial scarification, the figure's prominent arched back and elaborate headdress indicate he is likely a hunchback. Size: 8" L x 8" W x 9.7" H (20.3 cm x 20.3 cm x 24.6 cm)

Hunchbacks held significant status as shamans or spiritual advisors among the Colima and frequently wore powerful caps to signify their rank. The Colima are noted for burying their dead in shaft tombs and creating pottery figures to be placed inside those mausoleums with their loved ones. As shamans acted as mediators between the spiritual and physical worlds, a shaman figure like this example would have been particularly useful to help guide the deceased's transition from the realm of the living to the realm of the dead.

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-private Estate collection, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA, acquired 1960 to 2024

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#185584

Professionally repaired and restored; all done very well and difficult to notice. Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise, excellent presentation with rich manganese blooms throughout.