A pale orange terracotta figure of a female lying on a bed or platform, strapped in with a wide band around her body. She rests her head on a pillow or headrest and is wearing large ear plugs. Unmodelled reverse with old collection number at the base.
 
Pre-Columbian Colima culture, West Mexico: Circa 100 BC - 250 AD.
Fine condition, complete and intact. Length 10 cms (3.9 ins)
 
Provenance: Private Nevada collection, ex. Dr. David Harner collection, Arkansas, 1950's - 1960's.
 
Such figures often found in shaft tombs, were created as grave goods to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. These "bedded" figures are sometimes called "muertos", perhaps lying in death, strapped in to keep their spirits contained.
 
See our blog post on Mesoamerica