Lot 33
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, Chinesco style, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. Graceful in its simplicity and deeply human in expression, this hand-modeled terracotta figure captures the serene dignity characteristic of the Chinesco sculptural tradition of Nayarit. The female stands upright with hands placed firmly on her hips, her posture confident yet contemplative. Her rounded limbs and gently modeled torso are balanced by a large, heart-shaped head, its broad forehead and soft features conveying an introspective calm. She wears a painted loincloth rendered in cream pigment against the burnished red slip of her body, traces of which remain visible across her hips and thighs. The subtle use of color enhances the quiet harmony of the figure, while the smooth surface and simplified anatomy reflect the Chinesco preference for abstraction over realism. Her small, perforated eyes and softly modeled features evoke a meditative stillness distinct from the livelier forms of the Ixtlan del Rio and San Sebastian traditions. Size: 3.6" W x 7.4" H (9.1 cm x 18.8 cm)
Figures such as this were placed within shaft tombs, serving as symbolic companions or spiritual intermediaries for the deceased. The restrained form, polished surface, and quiet balance suggest both vitality and repose - a sculptural reflection of the Chinesco philosophy that beauty resides in equilibrium and subtlety. Emanating quiet strength, this figure embodies the timeless artistry of the Nayarit people, who transformed clay into lasting expressions of human presence and spirit.
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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#197211
- Condition: Proper left ear has been restored. Weathering to surface commensurate with age a shown. Otherwise, very nice presentation with liberal remaining pigments and scattered mineral deposits to surface.
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