Lot 156A
Jalisco Seated Pottery Figure - Scarified Shoulders
Jalisco Seated Pottery Figure - Scarified Shoulders
Starting Bid: $350
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Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Jalisco culture. Ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A striking vision of ceremonial identity, this seated pottery figure from the Jalisco tradition of ancient West Mexico embodies both artistic individuality and cultural ritual. Modeled with expressive asymmetry and painted in deep red and black slip, the figure sits with knees raised and arms resting with quiet authority, conveying a grounded presence that transcends time. The figure's elongated head is topped with a tall, squared headdress resembling a hood - a form often associated with ritual attire or elite distinction. The face is rendered with a strong triangular nose, coffee-bean eyes, and an open mouth revealing bared teeth - a visual gesture suggestive of chant, breath, or spiritual invocation. Ear spools pierce the lobes, affirming this figure's elevated standing. Size: 8.2" L x 10.5" W x 13.7" H (20.8 cm x 26.7 cm x 34.8 cm)
Most distinctive are the stippled shoulders - carefully applied raised nodes that represent ceremonial scarification, a practice linked to rites of passage, social distinction, and spiritual transformation. Similar texturing appears on ancient West Mexican figures believed to embody shamanic, ancestral, or elite identities. The limbs are further adorned with pierced anklets and wristlets, enhancing the impression of a ritual costume.
Jalisco figures such as this were often placed in shaft tombs, arranged in groupings that may have represented familial or ceremonial gatherings intended to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. Their bold forms and stylized features reflect a deeply personal artistic tradition rooted in spiritual worldview and ancestral reverence.
Provenance: private Nashville, Tennessee, USA collection
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#195045
- Condition: Professionally repaired and restored with repainting over break lines. Age-expected surface wear with nicks and abrasions as shown. Otherwise, excellent presentation with good remaining pigments.
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| 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 |