Description:

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, Protoclassic period, ca. 100 BCE to 250 CE. A spirited embodiment of transformation and ritual identity, this finely modeled terracotta figure from ancient Colima portrays a seated male shaman in the guise of a hunchback. He raises his right hand, which clasps a rattle or ceremonial staff, while his left arm lifts a deep-welled cup or drinking vessel, as if in the midst of a sacred performance. His broad body is anchored in a grounded, stable pose, his back dramatically arched in the characteristic hump of West Mexican hunchback figures - long regarded as signs of otherworldly insight and liminal power. The shaman's expressive face is rendered with incised almond-shaped eyes, a pronounced triangular nose, and slightly parted lips that may suggest invocation or chant. Size: 7.8" L x 9.8" W x 11" H (19.8 cm x 24.9 cm x 27.9 cm)

A distinctive rounded headdress rings his head, marked with a textured band and crowned by a prominent, forward-leaning point - not merely a decorative flourish, but a shaman horn, a potent symbol of spiritual potency, altered consciousness, and animal transformation. Such horns were associated with visionary experience and supernatural connection, linking the shaman to his animal spirit companions.

Figures like this were traditionally interred in shaft tombs, where they likely served as guardians, guides, or even embodiments of the deceased's spiritual journey. The presence of a horned headdress, rattle, and drinking vessel firmly places this figure within a ritual context, evoking trance, transformation, and the transmission of sacred knowledge. The burnished red surface, dynamic posture, and anatomical emphasis exemplify Colima artistry and its deep concern with bodily symbolism and ritual presence.

Provenance: private Lexington, Kentucky, USA collection, acquired January 21, 2024; ex-Central Park West estate, New York, New York, USA, acquired prior to 1980s

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A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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#195008

  • Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines. Light surface wear as shown, but, otherwise, excellent presentation. Earthen deposits on interior.

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SHIPPING LOGISTICS: As a courtesy to our clients worldwide, Artemis Gallery is happy to handle shipping for most lots sold, taking the hassle (and high cost!) out of having to arrange shipping on your own. Shipping costs will be added to your invoice at auction's end based on information given when you registered to bid - we strive to offer the most economical shipping costs to ensure safe transit. Our shippers of choice are DHL for International shipments and UPS for domestic shipments, but we are able to ship via other carriers at the buyer's expense as deemed necessary or by request.

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June 13, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000