Pre-Columbian Jalisco Terracotta Pregnant Figure

Crouching figure with exaggerated facial features, pierced for suspension; mounted on a square stand with label 'Mexico. Tatilco/Chipiquaro Culture Pre-Classic 1200-500 BC. Ex Mr J. Hillenius Amsterdam Artist'. 55.5 grams total including stand, 33 mm



From the private collection of Mr J Hilenius, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Terracotta bifacial burner, the bowl formed as a human mask to each broad face with applied grotesque detailing and notched rim; central column below, voided and developing to a pair of straddling legs with male genitals; arched horse-shoe handle above with applied pellets to the outer edge. 2.37 kg, 39.5 cm



Acquired Bonhams, Knightsbridge, London, UK. Ex London, UK, gallery. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no.C124d53 from Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12158-217338.

These janiform sculptures form an unusual subset of the Colima corpus and are believed to represent the rain god Tlaloc with the handle represented as snakes. This present example is notable for its size with some remaining original pigment remaining. These sculptures are thought to represent rain, earth and fertility.

Figure of a pregnant woman standing, adorned with a headdress, ear ornaments, a necklace and disc ornaments to the shoulders, and with armbands on the short arms; with red pigment and traces of black pigment to the breasts and the back. 1.28 kg, 33.5 cm



Collected from the 1980s onwards, from the Romy Rey (1938–2020) collection, London, UK. Property of a Bristol, UK, gentleman.