Lot 59
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 100 BCE to 250 CE. A compelling pair of Colima pottery figures, these sculptural works capture human presence with the directness and quiet drama that define West Mexican shaft tomb art. Modeled in warm, buff clay with traces of mineral encrustation, each figure is rendered with bold features, simplified anatomy, and a strong sense of narrative, as if two moments from the same village life have been frozen in terracotta. One figure depicts a standing, semi-nude female with exposed breasts and a skirt, her posture animated by the weight of a large bag carried across her back. The strap curves over her shoulders and chest, emphasizing both the physical labor of transport and the dignity of the subject. Her facial features are strongly modeled, with an aquiline nose and applied ears, while her stance suggests steady movement rather than formal stillness. Size of taller (female): 2.6" W x 4.2" H (6.6 cm x 10.7 cm)
The second figure portrays a seated male perched on a low bench, his legs crossed and arms folded across his torso. A rope is modeled around his neck, an arresting detail that introduces tension and ambiguity. The motif may represent captivity, punishment, or social status, though its precise meaning remains uncertain. His elaborate headdress and composed posture, however, complicate any single reading, creating an image that feels both ceremonial and humanly intimate.
Together, the pair offers a vivid glimpse into the figurative imagination of ancient Colima, where pottery was not only a medium for form, but for character. These figures would have been well suited to a shaft tomb setting, serving as companions, symbols, or storytellers for the deceased, and they remain enduring expressions of West Mexico's distinctive sculptural tradition.
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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#200441
- Condition: Repair and restoration to female figure; male is intact. Both have weathering to surfaces, but, otherwise, good remaining detail and scattered earthen and mineral deposits throughout.
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