Lot 87
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, Protoclassic Period, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A fine example of Colima pottery, a redware vessel depicting a male dwarf seated with legs splayed before him. The figure exhibits a form of dwarfism made evident by his malformed spine which protrudes through his back. He possesses other characteristics that portray his condition such as short arms extending downwards from rounded shoulders and a squat neck supporting a bulbous head. Incised coffee-bean-shaped eyes, a wide nose, slightly parted puffy lips, and protruding ears with incised earspools comprise the dwarf's visage. The top of his head supports the short spout that leads into his hollow body. In Pre-Columbian times, physical conditions such as dwarfism and spine deformities, were believed to be signs from the divine and indicated that these were special, chosen individuals who were touched by the supernatural. A striking vessel, replete with meaningful iconography as well as beautiful deep red hue and light mineral deposits. Size: 6" W x 9.5" H (15.2 cm x 24.1 cm)
Individuals with hunchbacks and dwarfism were apparently very popular in Colima sculpture; indeed, they heavily outnumber portrayals of women (and some have theorized that this relates to their relatively high social status in the society). Interestingly, some scholars attribute the hunched back in West Mexican shaft tomb culture to a particular form of tuberculosis.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
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#162598
- Condition: Professionally repaired; legs reattached at waist with resurfacing, overpainting, and restoration along break lines. Minor nicks and surface abrasions to high pointed areas. Light mineral and magnesium deposits.
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