**Originally Listed At $700**

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, Protoclassic period, ca. 100 BCE to 250 CE. A hollow-cast and highly-burnished ceramic figure seated on a planar base with bent, stocky legs, a rounded torso, and powerful shoulders, with the right arm resting upon one knee and the left raised and holding a small bowl, and all covered in a pale orange slip. The midsection of the torso is adorned with a hand-incised belt comprised of several small rectangular panels, each with nine interior squares, and each separated by a segmented vertical bar. The stylized head is turned to face the held bowl, with sensitive almond eyes, a slender nose, broad ears with integral earspools, and a thin mouth comprising the visage, all beneath an intricate helmet with several raised and incised elements with a casting hole on the verso. Perhaps depicting a shaman in a meditative trance-like state, this is a wonderful example from the ancient Colima! Size: 6.75" W x 7.625" H (17.1 cm x 19.4 cm).

Colima, located on Mexico's southwestern coast, was during this time part of the shaft tomb culture, along with neighbors to the north in Jalisco and Nayarit. In this culture, the deceased were buried down shafts - ranging from 3 to 20 meters deep - that were dug vertically or near vertically through the volcanic tuff known as "tepetate" that makes up the geology of the region. The base of the shaft would open into one or more horizontal chambers with a low ceiling. These shafts were almost always dug beneath a dwelling, probably a family home, and seem to have been used as family mausoleums, housing the remains of many related individuals. Ornate vessels and highly-detailed figures like this one were placed in the tombs in order to hold offerings and protect the soul of the deceased.

Provenance: private Las Vegas, Nevada, USA collection

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.

#136551

Repair to area of bowl and hand holding bowl with expert restoration over break lines. Surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age, small chips to arms, legs, and base, with some fading to slip coloration and finer incised details, and some overpainting in scattered areas along legs. Light earthen and nice mineral deposits throughout.