Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Michoacan, ca. 500 to 100 BCE; Chupicuaro, ca. 500 BCE to 300 CE. A lovely group of 5 hand-built pottery female figures known as "pretty ladies" based on their depictions of femininity in ancient Mesoamerica. The 2 figures on top and the middle figure are of Michoacan origin and exhibit features such as petite mouths, slanted or double-pupil eyes, and attenuated arms. The bottom 2 figures are of Chupicuaro origin and exhibit similar features but with characteristic Chupicuaro red pigment. All figures are presented within a modern display frame. Size of largest (bottom left Chupicuaro figure): 2.1" W x 3.6" H (5.3 cm x 9.1 cm); (frame): 9.875" W x 14.125" H (25.1 cm x 35.9 cm)

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#169565

Repair to proper left hand of top-left Michoacan figure and restoration to proper right leg of bottom-right Chupicuaro figure, both with light adhesive residue along break lines; remaining 3 figures are intact and very good. All figures have light abrasions and encrustations, with softening to some finer details, and minor fading to red pigment on both Chupicuaro figures. Nice preservation to figural forms. Each figure is attached to modern green felt backing via plastic wire and displayed within a modern frame. Frame is fitted with a metal suspension wire on the verso for display purposes but does not have a frontal glass panel.