Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Jalisco, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A fascinating terracotta standing figure of an androgynous individual. Standing with hands behind the back, the individual has female breasts, what appears to be a pregnant stomach, and male genitalia. She/he wears large shoulder pads, a nose ring, and huge earrings. Her/his face is divided by a long, thin nose and she/he has a narrow mouth and coffee-bean shaped eyes. Red pigment marks the lower body and the neck. Size: 7" W x 12.8" H (17.8 cm x 32.5 cm)

West Mexican shaft tomb figures like this one derive their names from the central architectural feature that we know of from this culture. These people would build generally rectangular vertical shafts from the ground level down to narrow horizontal tunnels that led to one or more vaulted or rounded burial chambers. The geomorphology in the area means that these chambers are dug out of tepetate, a type of volcanic tuff material, which give the chambers a rough-edged look. Although the dimensions of the chambers vary considerably - some are only large enough to hold a single burial and its offerings, while others seem designed to hold entire lineages - the placement of burial goods like this hollow figure was very similar. Grouped with other hollow figures, and alongside clay bowls, and boxes, they were positioned around the body (or bodies), near the skull. Unfortunately, we lack the information we would need to understand what these figures were made for. Do they represent everyday people, even individuals? Are they religious? Were they created to mediate between the living and the dead? Whatever their purpose, today they are beautiful artwork and reminders of the mysterious past.

Provenance: private collection of the late Peter Arnovick, San Francisco, California, USA

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#122788

Repaired on one foot and at neck/head.