Lot 55
Colima Hunchback Figural Vessel, Ithyphallic, Head Spout
Colima Hunchback Figural Vessel, Ithyphallic, Head Spout
Starting Bid: $600
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Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima culture., ca. 300 BCE - 300 CE. A vivid Colima redware figural vessel portraying a nude male figure seated in a compact, contemplative pose. The figure sits with knees drawn upward, elbows resting on the knees and hands clasped together in front of the chest, while a short cylindrical spout rises from the crown of the head, transforming the sculpture into a functional vessel. The body is modeled with smooth, rounded contours typical of Colima ceramic traditions. The figure's broad face, large ears, and simplified features convey a calm expression, while the curved back suggests a hunchbacked form. The posture emphasizes the bent limbs and compressed seated stance. A prominent erect phallus is clearly depicted between the legs, a detail that may relate to themes of fertility, vitality, or masculine potency in West Mexican ceramic symbolism. Size: 7" L x 6.3" W x 12.7" H (17.8 cm x 16 cm x 32.3 cm)
Hunchbacked figures appear with notable frequency in West Mexican ceramic sculpture and are widely interpreted by scholars as individuals with special spiritual or social roles. In Mesoamerican belief systems, physical difference was often associated with supernatural power, and hunchbacks, dwarfs, and other unusual bodies could be regarded as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds.
Figural vessels such as this were commonly placed in shaft tombs across the Colima region as funerary offerings. Their lively modeling and expressive poses reflect the remarkable sculptural tradition of West Mexican pottery, in which human figures were transformed into dynamic ceremonial vessels.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, 2025; ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired between 1985 and 2003
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Item #
201525
- Condition: Professionally repaired with small loss along visible break line at neck and restoration and repainting over other break lines. Light surface wear as shown. Otherwise, excellent presentation with good remaining detail and rich manganese deposits throughout.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $749 | $25 |
| $750 | $1,499 | $50 |
| $1,500 | $2,999 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $7,499 | $250 |
| $7,500 | $14,999 | $500 |
| $15,000 + | $1,000 |