Pre-Columbian, Chinesco Culture, Nayarit, West Mexico, ca. 200 BCE – 300 CE. An unusual grouping of 6 figures depicting a pulque drinking ceremony, with a larger male figure drinking pulque from a large gourd with some type of straw, while 3 other male figures and one female figure are also seated, and a second standing female seems to be an attendant. Normally Nayarit anecdotal groupings are joined together on a platform base, while these figures are free standing. Even though the Chinesco figures also come from Nayarit, perhaps they tended to create a tableau of separate individual figures, like the Xalitla Culture from an earlier period in Guerrero. However none of these have been found in the literature, so clearly these Chinesco anecdotal groups are much rarer than the Nayarit platform groups, and this may be a unique depiction of a pulque-drinking ceremony. Size: Six figures varying in height from 3-1/4” - 4-3/8” tall.

Pulque was one of many alcoholic drinks that was made from the fermented sap of the Maguey plant. (Tequila is another, though it is distilled to make it stronger). Its use was widespread throughout pre-Columbian Mexico, and there were various gods and goddesses associated with it(The Aztec god Tepoztecal was the god of alcoholic merriment). Pulque was served at religious ceremonies as a ritual intoxicant for priests and as a medicinal drink. It was also served in elaborate ceremonies to celebrate brave heroes of battle, and was so sacred as to be an acceptable substitute for blood in certain ancient rituals.

Provenance: Ex-private Los Angeles, CA collection.

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#115619

Excellent condition. The pulque drinker has one re-attached leg, and a small chip on the headdress. The other three seated male figures are in original condition with no breaks or restoration. The two female figures have reattached heads.