Lot 104
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, Chinesco tradition, ca. 200 BCE to 300 CE. A compelling pair of Chinesco pottery figures embodies the bold geometry and expressive restraint that define the sculptural traditions of ancient Nayarit. Rendered in warm earthen clay with cream and red slip decoration, the figures communicate presence through posture rather than facial detail, their simplified forms carrying remarkable visual authority. The seated figure is shown with legs spread wide and hands resting firmly on the hips, a pose that conveys confidence, stability, and grounded physicality. The torso is compact and powerfully modeled, with a broad head and abbreviated limbs typical of Chinesco figuration. Bands of red slip accent the neck, head, and lower body, emphasizing the figure's symmetry and mass. Beside it stands a more slender figure wearing a painted loincloth, the breasts exposed and the body elongated in contrast to the seated companion. Size of larger (seated figure): 4.9" W x 5" H (12.4 cm x 12.7 cm)
White dotted and linear motifs decorate the waist and garment, adding rhythmic detail to the otherwise smooth surface. The upright stance introduces a sense of alertness and balance, complementing the grounded solidity of the seated form.
Both figures display the characteristic abstraction of the Chinesco style, where identity is conveyed through stance, proportion, and surface treatment rather than individualized facial features. Such figures were commonly placed in shaft tombs, likely serving as companions, attendants, or symbolic representations tied to social roles, fertility, lineage, or community structure. Together, this pair offers a striking study in contrast and harmony - seated and standing, compact and elongated, stillness and quiet animation. They stand as enduring expressions of Nayarit ceramic artistry, where form, posture, and surface unite to convey timeless human presence.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex-major gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, primarily acquired between 1985 and 2005
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#200290
- Condition: Standing figure has had proper right arm reattached with some chipping along break lines. Both have nicks and abrasions as shown, commensurate with age. Otherwise, seated figure is intact and both are very nice with liberal remaining detail.
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