Colima Dancing Man with a Basket on His Back - PF.2411,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Colima Dancing Man with a Basket on His Back - PF.2411,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. The state of Colima, located in the pacific coast region of West Mexico, derives its name from the large 13,000-foot-high volcano, "Colima," located within the area. Living in the shadows of this volcano between about 300 B.C. and 600 A.D., an ancient culture thrived, producing an extraordinary type of ceramic art, also known as "Colima." The terracotta sculptures created by these highly expressive people, revealed in this striking male figure, are filled with a timeless spirit and vitality. Intended for burial with the dead, these ancient figures accompanied the deceased into the netherworld, performing a complex number of social and religious functions. This distinctive figure, standing in a dancing posture, bends his knees and raises his ornamented arms in a most lively and musical fashion. While supporting a rounded, perforated vessel on his back, he lightly turns his head to the side, looking outward with beady eyes. His face and head are handsomely adorned with a nose ornament, earrings, a beaded necklace and a headdress. His waist supports a deftly sculpted layered loincloth, while hints of the original black striped paint can be seen on his arms, legs and face. To behold this ancient dancer is to feel and hear the ancient rhythms that moved an entire culture--potent rhythms that continue to enrapture us today.   « Less

Colima Sculpture of a Mother and her Children - PF.2422,Origin: Western MexicoCirca: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high,Catalogue: V8,Collection:  More »

Colima Sculpture of a Mother and her Children - PF.2422,Origin: Western MexicoCirca: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high,Catalogue: V8,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Colima Sculpture of a Seated Musician - PF.2443,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high x 8.25" (21.0cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Colima Sculpture of a Seated Musician - PF.2443,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high x 8.25" (21.0cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. The West Mexico state of Colima supported a thriving ancient culture, which between about 300 B.C. and 600 A.D., produced a remarkable variety of ceramic art, ranging from the unique rendering of human figures to the myriad plant and animal life found in the region. Created as burial objects to accompany the deceased on their journey to the afterlife, these terracotta sculptures, as revealed in this charming seated musician, are full of a lively spirit and energy. Adorned with a headdress and large decorative collar, the musician sits with his stocky legs bent. While one hand rests atop his right knee, the other holds a large knobbed conch shell, which he uses either as a trumpet or plays as a rasp. If we listen closely we can almost hear the melodic sounds emanating from this talented musician's ancient instrument. With eyes half shut, as if in a musical trance, this sensitive Colima musician seems also to hear the ancient notes--sounds of a rhythmical repertoire as old as time itself.   « Less

Colima Sculpture of a Standing Warrior - PF.2475,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 14.25" (36.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Colima Sculpture of a Standing Warrior - PF.2475,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 14.25" (36.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. This sensational and highly expressive male warrior is a rare example of the exquisite ceramic artistry that was created in the western region of Mexico, under the shadow of the 13,000foothigh volcano Colima. It was here that ancient artists perfected the skill of modeling clay into human and animal shapes and forms that project a power and energy that is unsurpassed in the ability to captivate the senses. This ancient warrior, originally created to accompany the dead on his or her long journey to the netherworld, epitomizes this sculpting skill. Standing with body bent in a somewhat forceful stance, his left hand positioned on his knee, the warrior strongly grasps in his right hand a weapon that he holds out in front of him. A facial expression that further suggests his assertive nature is depicted through wide staring eyes and a tongue that sticks out from an open mouth. A dramatic conical, ornamented hat further heightens his powerful demeanor. It is clear that at one time the spirit of this ancient figure was a most competent guardian, arousing all those who approached him. Today he continues to affirm his powers, stirring our myriad senses in a most exciting and intriguing fashion.   « Less

Colima Carved Stone Funerary Mask - PF.2627,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium:  More »

Colima Carved Stone Funerary Mask - PF.2627,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Colima Sculpture of a Man Carrying a Jar on his Back - PF.2767,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Colima Sculpture of a Man Carrying a Jar on his Back - PF.2767,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Seated Man - PF.2853,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 10.125" (25.7cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Seated Man - PF.2853,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 10.125" (25.7cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. Poised in a typical masculine position. This stunning example of Colima artistry served dual purposes. Aside from the aesthetic beauty enjoyed by the people of Ancient Mexico for their sculpted works, this piece had a practical as well as spiritual purpose. The spout at the top of the figure's head suggests that it was used as a vessel to hold offerings for ceremonies or burial. It is not an accident that this figure is shaped like a man waiting patiently. It was commonly believed that the deceased needed to be accompanied into the afterworld. Therefore, many shaft tombs yielded an abundance of ceramic figures, animals and jewelry to make the journey more comfortable and to make offerings to the gods to allow entrance into the next world. We gaze at a legacy of spiritual beliefs and earthly longing for the next world.   « Less

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Seated Man - PF.2914,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 10" (25.4cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Seated Man - PF.2914,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 10" (25.4cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. This bold, seated male figure is a funerary vessel from pre-classic Colima, Mexico. The vessel came from a shaft tomb, a predominant cultural trait of pre-classic West Mexico. The vessel is a clay figure, which has been red-slipped, burnished, and then fired. Such polished surface of the fired, hollow clay shows that much advanced firing skill was used to make this vessel figure. The details of the figure are represented by the incision marks. The hair, decorations on the headdress, and the marks around the neck are all rendered with incisions. The protruding face and bold, round eyes show that the figure was an active position. He wears a helmet with a horn, which suggests that he was a shaman involved in rituals. The clay figure also shows unusual features such as hollow left hand and right hand holding a small object. Such elements add mystical quality to the already magical shaman figure. Rituals and funerary practices being important elements in life, this pre-classic male shaman figure had an essential role in pre-classic Colima.   « Less

Colima Stone Mask - PF.3145,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium:  More »

Colima Stone Mask - PF.3145,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Green Stone. This beautifully polished dark green stone has been sculpted to greet us with a friendly smile. The glistening shores of the Pacific and the clear blue-sky overhead may have influenced the free and natural appearance of this sculpture. Shells may have been gathered from the shores and placed within the eye sockets reinforcing a convivial, free spirit. This may have been placed within a tomb of the deceased. The wide, open mouth would enable the spirit of the deceased to continue his drinking and eating festivities in the Underworld. It would also allow the spirit to speak and perhaps defend himself if need be to the gods of the Underworld. The spoken words have vanished with the ravages of time, but the energy continues to pulse to its own unique rhythm.   « Less

Colima Sculpture of an Acrobat - PF.3282,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 2.875" (7.3cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Colima Sculpture of an Acrobat - PF.3282,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 2.875" (7.3cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. In his triumphal acts of dance and extraordinary flexibility, the acrobat becomes a ritual entertainer for the gods and the Ancient audience, as well. The acrobat depicted here has his legs arching over his head, as if alluding to the almost miraculous, sinuous contortions of a serpent. This fascination with acrobatic contortionists appears as early as the Olmecs. A fine representation of an acrobat grasping his feet appears on a late Olmec relief reportedly from the south coast of Guatemala. This delightful sculpture reveals to us an intimate representation of the acts that may have taken place during rituals and significant ceremonies. The ear spools and elaborate headband leads us to believe that this acrobat may have had royal status. His expression portrays a meditative trance by the half-closure of the eyes and the upturned mouth is reminiscent of a blissful smile. We are drawn again and again through this composition, compelled to pleasantly remember the acrobatic performances we once displayed in our own childhood.   « Less