Nayarit Seated Figure with Shaman's Horn
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, ca. 300 BCE – 300 CE. A pottery figure shown seated with hands resting on thighs. Facing forward, the elongated head features slit-form eyes, a pinched nose, and an open mouth, beneath a protruding knob on the forehead, possibly intended as a shaman's horn. A collar necklace with a loop pendant falls on the clavicle, above sloped shoulders and slender, tubular arms adorned with layered bangles. Size: 9" W x 18.3" H x 6.1" D (22.9 cm W x 46.5 cm H x 15.5 cm D).
Clay figures like this one are the only remains that we have today of a sophisticated and unique culture in West Mexico - they made no above-ground monuments or sculptures, at least that we know of, which is in strong contrast to developments elsewhere in ancient Mesoamerica. Instead, their tombs were their lasting works of art: skeletons arrayed radially with their feet positioned inward, and clay offerings, like this one, placed alongside the walls facing inward, near the skulls. A large effigy like this one would most likely have flanked the entrance to a tomb in a way that archaeologists have interpreted as guarding. Some scholars have connected these dynamic sculptures of the living as a strong contrast to the skeletal remains whose space they shared, as if they mediated between the living and the dead.
Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-private Fayetteville, Arkansas estate, USA, acquired 1960 to 2024
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
185726
Condition
Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines; all expertly done and difficult to notice. Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise nice presentation with scattered manganese deposits.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, ca. 300 BCE – 300 CE. A pottery figure shown seated with hands resting on thighs. Facing forward, the elongated head features slit-form eyes, a pinched nose, and an open mouth, beneath a protruding knob on the forehead, possibly intended as a shaman's horn. A collar necklace with a loop pendant falls on the clavicle, above sloped shoulders and slender, tubular arms adorned with layered bangles. Size: 9" W x 18.3" H x 6.1" D (22.9 cm W x 46.5 cm H x 15.5 cm D).
Clay figures like this one are the only remains that we have today of a sophisticated and unique culture in West Mexico - they made no above-ground monuments or sculptures, at least that we know of, which is in strong contrast to developments elsewhere in ancient Mesoamerica. Instead, their tombs were their lasting works of art: skeletons arrayed radially with their feet positioned inward, and clay offerings, like this one, placed alongside the walls facing inward, near the skulls. A large effigy like this one would most likely have flanked the entrance to a tomb in a way that archaeologists have interpreted as guarding. Some scholars have connected these dynamic sculptures of the living as a strong contrast to the skeletal remains whose space they shared, as if they mediated between the living and the dead.
Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-private Fayetteville, Arkansas estate, USA, acquired 1960 to 2024
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
185726
Condition
Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines; all expertly done and difficult to notice. Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise nice presentation with scattered manganese deposits.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
