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_900x900.jpg "Pre-Columbian Mexican Michoacan Standing Figure")
_200x200.jpg "Pre-Columbian Mexican Michoacan Standing Figure")
.jpg "Pre-Columbian Mexican Michoacan Standing Figure")
LOT 2411
Pre-Columbian Mexican Michoacan Standing Figure
300-100 B.C.
9 in. (527 grams total, 23 cm high including stand).
Modelled in the half-round as a nude female, wearing arm bangles and an ornamental collar; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceEx Alan Cherry, Bournemouth, UK.
Acquired in the 1990s.
From a Norfolk, UK, private collection.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 1979.206.1067, for a comparable figure; see Taube, K., The Albers Collection of Pre Columbian Art, Hudson Hills Press, New York, 1988, pp. 54-55, for a range of similar examples.
FootnotesThis is a large example of the figurines of ancient Michoacan. These sculptures were made in abundance during the pre classic period and were likely crafted for personal use as votive figures. As with this example, these sculptures are renowned for showing details of necklaces and other adornment of the period.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Large Pre-Columbian Chancay Water Container with Monkey Handle
9th-14th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Drum-shaped in plan with bulb to the mouth; strap handle with sitting monkey to the outer edge; second similar handle to the other side; each flat face with painted check pattern and central cross with meander ornament; mounted on a custom-made wooden stand. 4.5 kg total, 40 cm including stand
Acquired in the 1970s. Ex Nicolas Cuppy, UK. Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman. -
South American Chancay Terracotta Figure with Pitcher
12th-14th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £72
Hand-modelled Chancay(?) figure of a standing female with left hand on her hip and right hand raised to support the pitcher; pinched facial detailing and tall tongue-shaped headdress with lateral flaps; pointillé detailing for the eyes and breasts, incised lines to the collar and groin, exaggerated feet; top of the head supporting a pitcher. 129 grams, 17 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Large Pre-Columbian Colima Seated Shaman Vessel
Mexico, Protoclassic Period, circa 100 B.C.-250 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Red ware, hollow-formed and modelled in the round, seated figure with horn to the brow and pierced ears, incised decoration to the midriff, pouring spout to rear of head. 1.9 kg, 36.5 cm
with Bonhams, London, 24 May 2016, lot 21. Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, gentleman.
Holding a throwing stone in one hand and facing an unseen danger to his left as was tradition. This seated figure can be identified as a tomb guardian with the horn on his head marking him as a shaman or with magical powers. His purpose was to serve and protect the deceased in the afterlife. The Colima culture produced the greatest variety of sculpture across ancient West Mexico.
