Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Man with Raised Arms - PF.0634,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x  More »

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Man with Raised Arms - PF.0634,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. This flat figure is depicted in simple attire, with his hands drawn up behind his head, as if stretching.   « Less

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Squatting Woman - PF.0635,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 1.625"  More »

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Squatting Woman - PF.0635,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 1.625" (4.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. This delightful little woman is shown tying a kerchief around her head. She pauses, considering how it might look best. Like so many people confronted with a fashion decision, she is unable to make up her mind, even after centuries have passed.   « Less

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Man Holding a Dog - PF.0824,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm)  More »

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Man Holding a Dog - PF.0824,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. With just a few quick pinches of clay and an incised line or two, the ancient artist has created an endearing image of man and animal. Since this little sculpture was intended for burial in a tomb, it very likely represents a mourner carrying a votive offering. In ancient Mexico, dogs figured prominently in funerary rituals, both as guides to the underworld and as food for festive occasions. We will not speculate on the ancient intentions here. In our own age, such a sculpture evokes the charming camaraderie between man and beast.   « Less

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.1406,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 ADDimensions: 6.625" (16.8cm) high x 3.875"  More »

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.1406,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 ADDimensions: 6.625" (16.8cm) high x 3.875" (9.8cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. Though his costume is simple, this elegant man is clearly a member of the upper class. He wears an elaborately wrapped turban, a tasseled belt with loincloth, and jewelry of the aristocracy. Centuries ago, he was left in an ancient tomb to keep company with the deceased. The figure no doubt resembles the person who placed it there as a mark of his respect. He is perhaps the only remaining clue to that vanished life. No mere effigy, he glows with the energy of the human touch.   « Less

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Sculpture of Man with Large Ear Spool - PF.2410,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BCDimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm)  More »

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Sculpture of Man with Large Ear Spool - PF.2410,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BCDimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide,Collection: Pre-ColumbianStyle: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. One of the most exciting Pre-Columbian art styles belongs to a group of people who lived in the pacific region of Ancient Mexico, close to the 13,000-foot-high Volcano, "Colima." Here, artisans modeled in sand-colored clay a rich assortment of figures, a striking example of which is revealed in this male figure. In a standing position with thin arms joined together and held at the waist, the flattened figure stares out at us with beady eyes. His large sculpted; large ears spools and a turbaned head frame ornamented nose, and gaping mouth. Beaded jewelry around his neck and a decorated loin cloth combine with painted incised decorations to give this elaborate figure a most distinctive appearance, offering us a glimpse back into a vanished world whose expressiveness is still experienced today.   « Less

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.2413,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) high x 2.875"  More »

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.2413,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC,Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) high x 2.875" (7.3cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. The state of Colima, located in the pacific coast region of West Mexico, supported a thriving ancient culture, which, between about 300 B.C. and 600 A.D. produced a remarkable type of ceramic art. The terracotta sculptures created in Colima, as seen in this sculpted male figure, are full of 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, his flattened body in a standing posture, joins his arms together at the waist and cradles a conical- shaped object. While beady eyes stare out at us, his nose supports a decorative round ornament. Large ear spools, an ornate headdress and a beaded necklace further enhance his striking face. The armbands, incised loincloth and hints of the original black and white paint complete this spirited image, his commanding presence steeped in ancient magic and mystery.   « Less

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.2742,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high x 2.5"  More »

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.2742,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide,Collection: Pre-ColumbianStyle: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. This small solid clay figurine is characteristically typical of the Tuxcuesco-Ortices type found in the shaft tombs of Colima. The male figure stands alert with his long shapeless arms crossed over his chest. His body, slender and thin in profile is modestly adorned. A loincloth is delicately incised with two appliquéd tassels. The figure wears a simple necklace. Other appliquéd features include the coffee bean shaped eyes, parted lips, simple ear ornaments, and hair indicated by parallel-incised lines. We can imagine this figure as he once rested among the dead in an ancient shaft tomb. His form and modeling is simple, but his purpose in the next world was great.   « Less

Pre-Columbian / Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.2743,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm)  More »

Pre-Columbian / Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.2743,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. The afterlife was considered by the people of Ancient Mexico to be as important as the life they lived on earth. Many of the shaft tombs have yielded countless offerings. These offerings, in the form of human clay figures, animal sculptures and bowls were meant for the gods. It was necessary to please those that they worshipped in order to pass into the next world. This lovely male figure is posed as if to humbly appeal to the gods to allow his spirit to join theirs. This ancient work of art is richly decorated with jewelry. He wears a wide breechcloth with a long tassel hanging from his side. Surely, such a noble figure has since joined the gods he so worshipped.   « Less

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.2744,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 2.5"  More »

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.2744,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. The people of Ancient Mexico were a hearty lot, proud of their culture and deeply spiritual. This ancient figure with his arms crossed on his chest takes on an almost meditative state. His pose is very common among such ceramic figures. What is his passive stance trying to tell us? His fine jewelry and body ornaments indicate he was a proud nobleman, but his pose is not one of haughty pride but of peaceful submission. This figure, found in a tomb was perhaps an offering to the gods. A statement from the deceased’s willingness to submit to the all-mighty gods. He is finely detailed and beautiful to behold.   « Less

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Standing Figure - PF.2745,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high x 5.125" (13.0cm)  More »

Tuxcacuesco-Ortices Style Colima Terracotta Standing Figure - PF.2745,Origin: Colima, Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high x 5.125" (13.0cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Tuxcacuesco-Ortices,Medium: Terracotta. This lovely human sculpture is an interesting blend of male and female characteristics. The ornamentation and body features are very much like those of a man. However, the lower part of the body is exposed to indicate that this might have been a hermaphrodite figure, one that possesses both sexes. Like today, a hermaphrodite was an unusual figure; yet, this ancient work of art is depicted with quiet dignity. This figure, once brightly painted has lost much of its color. The arms are held away from the body as if in a ritual pose. For the most part, the figure displays typical Colima-styled body features, elongated and thin in profile with coffee-bean eyes. However, the arms of many of these Colima pieces are crossed over the chest. Why is this piece different? What is this figure trying to say? Was a hermaphrodite once a revered possessor of humanistic secrets? It is wonderful to ponder the possibilities.   « Less