Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A hand-built, bichrome seated drummer of the Nayarit sheep-face type, playing a cylindrical drum with both hands, finely painted with cream-hued details (i.e. the multiple strands of painted beads around his neck) on a red ground. Dressed quite elaborately with a tall plumed headdress, large round earspools, a protruding shell-shaped nose ornament, a fancy pectoral, shoulder pellets, and a loin cloth, its tie visible from the back, this figure most likely represented a shaman or leader. Though most shaman figures wore a horned headdress, the drum is also a symbolically important instrument associated with shaman status. Shamans would use the rhythm of the drum beat to induce altered states of consciousness, wherein they would serve as mediators between the sacred and profane realms. It seems as though virtually every pre-Columbian culture incorporated rhythms, harmonies, and perhaps dissonances in ceremonial rituals, dances, theatrical events, and even warfare. We find evidence of this in the ancient musical instruments and sculptural homages like this example. Size: 4.875" W x 8.25" H (12.4 cm x 21 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Dr. Peter Arnovick collection, Los Altos, CA

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#117374

Tiny loss to tip of nose ornament and nick to tip of feathered headdress. Else intact and excellent.