Seated Couple Item Number: 2010.23.1 from the Brooklyn Museum
Description
Seated man and woman joined at the legs and facing each other. The woman holds a bowl for her companion, who brings a drinking tube to his mouth. One of the man's arms is gently draped over the woman's shoulder. This sculpture is in the Ameca-Etzatlán style which is characterized by elongated heads; large, carved eyes; straight, naturalistic noses; and open mouths displaying incised teeth. The elongated heads are consistent with cranial deformation - the flattening of the infant's cranium - which was probably a sign of prestige. Both figures wear almost identical hair styles or headdresses with a headband decorated with appliqué dots. Additional adornments include earspools, leg bands (on the man), a skirt (on the woman), and appliqué dots on the shoulders possibly representing decorative scarification. Condition: good; some surface abrasions and chips.
Credit Line
Gift of the Coltrera Collection
Label
This sculpture of a seated couple may depict a marriage ceremony. The woman holds a bowl containing an unknown beverage for her companion, who brings a drinking tube to his mouth. The intimate nature of their relationship is suggested by their touching legs and the man’s arm gently draped over his partner’s shoulder.
Item History
- Made between 97 and 103
What
Who
- Culture
- Jalisco
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 97 and 103
Other
- Location
- American Identities: A New Look, American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, The Americas’ First Peoples, 4000 B.C.E.–1521 C.E., 5th Floor
- Classification
- Sculpture