Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Western Mexico, Nayarit culture, ca. 100 BCE to 250 CE. This expressive terracotta figure of a woman features exaggerated hips and thighs, legs which terminate in rounded stumps, arms bent on her sides, and multiple earrings. Her face is in the classic Nayarit style of a hollow head, high and large forehead with vertical striations on the front and back, a bulbous nose, and wide open eyes. Size: 3" L x 3.25" W x 5.5" H (7.6 cm x 8.3 cm x 14 cm).

Clay figures like this one are the only remains that we have today of a sophisticated and unique culture in West Mexico; they made no above-ground monuments or sculptures, at least that we know of, which is in strong contrast to developments elsewhere in ancient Mesoamerica. Instead, their tombs were their lasting works or art: skeletons arrayed radially with their feet positioned inward, and clay offerings, like this one, placed alongside the walls facing inward, near the skulls.

Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, acquired over twenty years ago

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#123059

  • Condition: Surface wear commensurate with age. The head has been reattached at the neck, and fading to red pigmentation. A blue-colored residue is visible underneath the legs and is consistent with putty used to stabilize the figure. Nice manganese deposits.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

June 26, 2017 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000