Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Jalisco, Ameca-Etzatlan style, Protoclassic Period, ca. 100 BCE to 250 CE. An exceptional hollow-bodied polychrome female statue depicted kneeling with a skirt covering her thighs. She poses seductively with her left arm reaching behind her head and her right hand resting on her flat stomach, just below her globular breasts, which are adorned with black-painted spiral motif tattoos, emphasizing her powerful feminine physique. Supported by square shoulders, her elongated head exhibits a calm countenance of deep-set, almond-shaped eyes, a sharp nose, full lips, and a pointed chin, all flanked by a pair of cupped ears incised with central ear canals. A helmet-like coiffure caps her head. Note the artist's close attention to detail in her clearly delineated fingers and black-painted hair, eyes, lips, tattoos, and skirt. Size: 7.3" W x 11.6" H (18.5 cm x 29.5 cm)

West Mexican shaft tomb figures like this example derive their names from the central architectural feature that we know of from this culture. Jalisco, located on Mexico's southwestern coast, was part of the shaft tomb culture during this time, along with neighbors in nearby Colima and Nayarit. These people would build generally rectangular vertical or near-vertical shafts down from the ground level - usually about 3 to 20 meters deep - through tepetate, the volcanic tuff that makes up the geology of the region, to narrow horizontal tunnels that led to one or more vaulted or rounded burial chambers.

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. Figures like this one were placed into the tombs; researchers believe that they were placed around the edges facing inward, as if in conversation with the dead. Grouped with other figures, and alongside clay bowls, and boxes, figures like this one were positioned around the body (or bodies), near the skull.

Unfortunately, we lack the necessary information to fully understand what these figures were made for - Did they represent everyday people, even individuals? Were 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 New York, New York, USA collection, purchased from Arte Primitivo, May 01, 2013, Lot 41; ex-West Coast collection, USA; ex-private Tucson collection, Tucson, Arizona, acquired 1980s

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#167955

Minor loss to proper left ear. Abrasion to proper right shoulder blade. Some nicks, resurfacing, and char marks to areas, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with rich manganese deposits throughout.