A burnt-sienna coloured terracotta figure of a bedded male, strapped in with a band around the waist. He rests his head on a pillow and is nude except for a cap and ear ornaments. Unmodelled reverse.
 
Pre-Columbian Colima culture, West-Mexico: Circa 100 BC - 250 AD.
 
Fine condition, complete and intact.
Length 9.5 cms (3.7 ins)
 
Provenance: Private Nevada collection, ex. Dr. David Harner collection, Arkansas, 1950's - 1960's. All with collection #'s.
 
The Colima people had the gift of caricature and their art had a good-humoured representation of life and the individual, but the meaning of these figures appears to be enigmatic: It is not known whether they represent people in death, or perhaps aspects of life, for example representing a punishment, or individuals with mental illness who were strapped in for their own safety.