Lot 31
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, Chinesco Type D, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A classic Chinesco Type D pottery figure from Nayarit, modeled with the serene stillness that defines this celebrated sculptural tradition. The figure sits with legs extended in front, tapering to pointed feet that rest lightly on the ground. The posture is compact yet quietly monumental, a form often associated with figures placed in the shaft tombs of West Mexico to accompany the dead with dignity and presence. The broad, domed head is one of the hallmarks of Chinesco artistry. Here it rises smoothly from the shoulders, its surface carefully textured and accented by a single red-painted line that marks the central hair part. The face follows Type D conventions: elongated nose, pared-down features, lightly recessed eyes, and a small mouth reduced to its essential shape. The ears are adorned with modeled earspools, an indicator of social status. Size: 3.6" L x 7.3" W x 8.1" H (9.1 cm x 18.5 cm x 20.6 cm)
The upper body is coated in a warm red slip that has mellowed beautifully over time, contrasting with the unpainted head and the paler zone around the abdomen. The arms are slender, held slightly back at the sides, creating a gentle tension that animates the otherwise calm pose. The figure's surface retains patches of original pigment and the soft mottling produced by long burial, adding depth to the vessel-like form.
Chinesco figures, especially those of Type D, are valued for their abstraction and introspective quality. Their serene expressions may represent ancestors, community members, or symbolic attendants, and they were likely arranged in groups within tombs to recreate scenes of social identity, ritual, or companionship in the afterlife. This example captures the refined simplicity and contemplative presence that define the finest Nayarit works, standing as a quiet testament to West Mexico's distinctive sculptural imagination.
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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#199150
- Condition: Professionally repaired and restored with resurfacing over break lines; all done expertly and difficult to detect. Light surface wear with some nicks as shown. Otherwise, excellent presentation with nice remaining detail and pigments.
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