A figure of a male lying on a platform or bed in beige coloured terracotta. The person wears a headdress and ear plugs with almond shaped eyes and a large nose, and is depicted strapped securely to a palliasse with four bands across the chest. Unmodelled reverse.
Pre-Columbian Ancient West Mexico, Colima culture: 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.
For a comparable figure, see item 95: Sculpture of Ancient West Mexico: Catalogue Of The Proctor Stafford Collection at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Such figures often found in shaft tombs, were created as grave goods to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. Their significance is unknown but they are sometimes called 'muertos' - figures lying in death, perhaps strapped in to keep their spirits contained.