A Colima Dancer...

Description

A Colima Dancer
West Mexico, Colima, Protoclassic, c. 250 BC - 250 AD

Hollow ceramic with burnished red-brown and beige slips. The figure stands firmly on short legs, holding a fan in the left hand and a rattle in the right. He wears a cap with pointed brim, which supports at back a large plaque painted half red-brown and half beige, with an animal snout, eyes, and ears modeled in high relief. Long hair, or part of the headdress, descends down the back and ends in tabular fringe. Large ear ornaments, a necklace with pendant, a belt with frontal flap, and raised fringe-like nodules at the shoulders complete the costume. The face is set in an expression of delight, giving the figure an unusual animation and theatrical presence. A lively and imposing example of Colima figural art. In very good condition; the fronts of the feet restored, with scattered manganese and mineral deposits overall.

Provenance:
The Vilcek Foundation
A Private Collection, New Mexico
Ron Messick, Santa Fe, NM

Height: 17 ¼ inches

More Information: The manganese deposits fizz with the application of hydrogen peroxide.


Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000.

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