Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, Ixtlan del Rio, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. This is one of the finest examples of a West Mexican shaft tomb figure that I have ever seen, with an incredible detailed face, beautiful remaining pigment, and excellent archaeological surface. The figure is female, with exposed breasts and wearing only a knee-length creamy yellow skirt; she stands with one hand on her (possibly pregnant?) stomach and the other holding a bowl to her chest. She wears armbands with different decorations on each arm, a coiled black necklace, and a series of large ringed earrings on each ear. She also has a nose ring. Her face is painted red and black, suggesting tattoos or some other form of decoration. Her face is realistically rendered, with open eyes, a narrow nose, and a slightly opened mouth full of teeth. Her hair is similarly detailed, with incised lines indicating either a headband or perhaps some kind of braided hairstyle ending in a knot at the back of her neck. Size: 9.8" W x 20" H (24.9 cm x 50.8 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 down 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 only large enough to hold a single burial and its offerings, 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: Ex - Frerck collection acquired in the 1980's

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#115418

Repaired from several pieces with some minor areas of restoration; appears largely intact. Chip to big toe on one foot. Much original pigment remains, with manganese deposits in several places.