Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Jalisco, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. Two fantastic, hand-built terracotta seated figures covered in an deep-red earthtone slip. The shorter figure has one leg folded beneath the other, with sinuous arms, rounded shoulders, and a thick neck. The larger figure sits with both legs bent, with elongated arms holding a large smoking pipe. Both figures have facial details characteristic of Jalisco "sheepface" figures such as thin mouths, pointed noses, flared ears with large earspools, and tall foreheads with thin headbands. Each figure displays areas of white-painted embellishments to signify clothing, jewelry, and other accessories, and both are wonderful figural examples from this ancient shaft-tomb culture! Size of largest (smoking): 8" H (20.3 cm).

Provenance: private Stagecoach, Nevada, USA collection; acquired from 1985 to present from galleries such as Arte Primitivo, Art For Eternity, Butterfields, and Riverbend Gallery

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#128810

Smaller figure has head, one arm, and one leg reattached, with light resurfacing and overpainting along break lines; head repaired from several pieces. Larger figure has repair to stem of smoking instrument with adhesive residue along break line. Both figures have age-commensurate surface wear, small chips to bodies, arms, and legs, fading to red and white pigmentation. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas, with nice mineral deposits and root marks overall.