Figure Item Number: Ni89 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

A red figure sitting with its right leg bent around and tucked under its left leg. Figure's left arm is resting on a cylindrical object on top of its left knee. Figure's right arm is outstretched forward and holding up a conical object. Tall headdress which coils around at the top. Holes in the rounded circular ears with grooved edges. Pointed nose, and a slightly open horizontal mouth.

History Of Use

These types of hollow, naturalistic redware ceramics have been found in (often elaborate) shaft tombs, a mortuary structure unique to the western Mexican states of Colima, Nayarit and Jalisco. Some experts think the main figure found in such burials may represent a powerful, elite member of the society; other figures may depict retainers sacrificed to accompany that person in the afterlife. Other figures commonly depict warriors, pregnant women, acrobats, male and female couples both seated and standing, and women with children. (The end date of the period is in dispute.)