Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Valley of Mexico, Tlatilco, ca. 800 to 500 BCE. This is a fascinating, potentially disturbing piece. It depicts a man and woman in a dynamic sexual pose that I am hesitant to interpret. There is little evidence for erotic art from the Tlatilco; 20th century discussions of Tlatilco "pretty women" are tinged by the modern men who wrote them, and, as several more recent scholars have discussed, we have no idea who made these figures (men or women), what they meant to convey in making them, and whether or not there was any sexual intent in their creation. However, this piece is unmistakably a sexual scene, and probably a violent one, with a man atop a woman; his phallus rests upon her stomach and one hand is on her thigh. She has one hand between her legs in what looks like a protective posture. With one hand, she is touching his face - possibly pushing him away - while he uses one hand to cover her mouth. Although their faces are stylized in the classical Tlatilco manner, with huge, almond-shaped eyes, their bodies are realistic (with small details like fingers) and posed naturalistically. Both are naked aside from a necklace and crown on the man and a crown(?) with an elaborate hairstyle on the woman. This is definitely a conversation starter! Size: 4.6" L x 2" W x 2.95" H (11.7 cm x 5.1 cm x 7.5 cm)

This piece was almost certainly created to be placed in a grave. Anthropologists and archaeologists have discussed the links between sexuality and death/the rituals surrounding death since 19th century; evidence for ancient people making this connection are many. For example, in Egyptian mythology, Osiris's death and rebirth are explicitly sexual. There are many other examples from other cultures. It is not surprising to suggest that the Tlatilco, artistic precursors to much of Mesoamerica, were also making this connection. Beyond speculation, however, it is very difficult to understand the meaning of this fascinating sculpture.

Provenance: Ex Scollard collection, LA, California

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#116163

Intact, minor spots of pigment remaining