Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, Ixtlan del Rio, ca 100 BCE - 250 CE. This musical pair of terracotta percussionists is adorned in a style distinct to the Ixtlan del Rio variety of Nayarit figures. One is shown standing behind his large drum, wearing a tall, pointed headdress, ear and nose ornaments, with both hands beating his drum. Drum and figure are painted in red slip with cream-colored details. The second figure is sitting with folded legs, cradling his percussive instrument in his left hand, while beating it with his left. His open mouth may indicate that his is also singing as he plays. His posture appears to be either hunched over or perhaps that of a hunchback. In Pre-Columbian times, the deformities of hunchbacked figures were believed to be signs that these individuals were in fact special, touched by the supernatural. This drummer dons a headdress, nose ring, face and body paint and is adorned with red slip and cream colored details. Figures measure 6-1/8" and 5-1/2" tall.

Provenance: Ex-Laguna Niguel, CA private collection, acquired prior to 1985.

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#107118

Tiny nick to ear flap of hunchback's headdress and back tail-like detail of drummer with pointed headdress. Normal surface wear to both. Nice manganese on hunchback. Overall very good condition.