Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A seated redware human effigy figure, probably representing a shaman given his prominent cylindrical headdress. The figure sits in a restful state with upraised knees, left elbow resting upon left knee, left hand touching right bicep as his right hand rests upon his right knee. His face presents a tranquil countenance with somewhat closed coffee bean eyes, a long protruding aquiline nose, a slit mouth, and lozenge-shaped ears. It also appears that his back is arched, possibly representing a hunchback state. Hunchbacks were actually revered in the Pre-Columbian world, their physical deformities signs that these individuals were touched by the deities and quite special. Liberal mineral deposits and root marks. Size: 8.5" L x 6" W x 11.375" H (21.6 cm x 15.2 cm x 28.9 cm)

Provenance: private Dr. George Wald collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; acquired in the 1960's. Dr. Wald was a recipient of the 1967 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the retina.

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#123494

Expected surface wear. One stain from an old inventory sticker on the underside, else intact and excellent. Covered with manganese deposits.