Description:

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Jama Coaque (Jamacoaque) culture, ca. 500 CE. A fierce mask that captures the moment of transformation as a shaman is caught in the liminal world between the human and animal states. The figure has huge canines - possibly they are a jaguar - and furry tufts erupt from its chin. The eyes and ears are human, as is the nose with its big round bead. The ears are decorated with small spool earrings and the face is round, painted with a blue design around the eyes and extending down the cheeks to the ears. Shamanic transformation - brought on in part by the ingestion of coca leaves - was a huge part of the Jama Coaque pottery, a turning away from earlier Ecuadorian pottery traditions (Valdivian, Chorrera) that were focused on representations of the body. In this new phase in ancient Ecuadorian society, status and different occupations for individuals suddenly became important to show artistically - suggesting that this was the period when their culture began to stratify and become culturally complex, with individuals in the society having specialized roles like shaman. Comes with custom stand. Size: 5.55" W x 5.4" H (14.1 cm x 13.7 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Maricopa County, AZ collection

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#118388

  • Condition: Intact, with slight encrustation and much pigment remaining

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June 8, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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