Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Capuli-Carchi, ca. 850 to 1500 CE. A matching pair of Coqueros, the female sitting on the ground rather than on a bench as was the custom for males of this genre. Further differentiating between the two, the female wears a cap-like headdress and a long skirt; the male dons a headband and loincloth. Despite these differences, they are a matching pair as both present minimalistic visages with white outlined almond-shaped eyes, protruding noses, slit mouths, black tattoo marks, and small ears, and both are on set on rectangular planks. Size: 5.875" L x 4" W x 8.125" H (14.9 cm x 10.2 cm x 20.6 cm)

Coqueros are defined as figures who chew Coca leaves as indicated by the bulges in their cheeks. For similar examples, see Armand Labbe's "Colombia Before Columbus: The People, Culture, and Ceramic Art of Prehispanic Colombia" (Plate XXXVII and XXXVIII).

Provenance: Ex-Private LA County collection acquired in the 1980's

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#119051

Male - right arm reattached, bench repaired. Female - losses to headdress, lower body reattached, figure reattached to plank. Both show expected surface wear, pigment losses, and abraded areas.