This ceramic sculpture belongs to a stylistic group that is associated with the name “Las Bocas”, whose zone of archaeological findings is found in the Valley of Izucar and includes a collection of small canyons; the area is known locally as "Painted Horse". Except for some fragments, the majority of the figures were found by the rural population and so do not have an archaeological context available.
For the same reason it is possible that some of the pieces that originate from other places in Puebla, and perhaps even Morelos, have been classified by some museums and collectors with this denomination. It refers to, in any case, a stylistic group. This group of figures is also normally known by the name “baby face”, which is somewhat extravagant and imprecise. The Las Bocas style is a demonstration of a particular Olmec style; the figures' faces have the typical features of the Olmecs: a head that sweeps upward (coinciding with a type of cranial deformation that has been well documented from the era); slanted eyes, as though they were half-closed; flattened nose, bulky lips, descending towards the corners of the mouth, providing a certain fierce expression that has been associated with the jaguar.
They represent a technological leap in respect to the small solid ceramic figurines that were made from the Early Preclassic and still were made during the Olmec stage; they are generally hollow, despite this, many have been preserved whole or with few cracks; they are also larger than other solid Preclassic figurines.
The naturalism with which the human figure is treated in the Las Bocas pieces is variable, but in general the faces are expressive while the major abstraction affects the lower extremities. The legs give the impression of a slight rotation of the anatomy, as though the knees are turning a bit outwards; this effect is accentuated because the legs seem to be shown somewhat inflated or puffed up. In this figure the facial expression is enriched by the sharp curves of eyelids and eyebrows; a line above the forehead marks the limit of what appears to be a helmet or cap very close to the head, which is common in Olmec works. The final puffiness, in the upper part of the head, is common in the Las Bocas group of figures.
On the head are sgraffito-style images of certain Olmec symbols like x-shaped crosses that may be associated with the spots of the jaguar, and the bands that bifurcate forming a V, reminiscent of the groove which emerges from the cob in some representations of the god of corn. Finally, the most noticeable unique feature of this figure is its gesture; the man of the figure rests his right hand on the right leg while flexing the left arm to raise his hand to his mouth: the fist is closed and the index finger makes with the lower lip of the figure. The attitude suggests meditation or surprise; it does not seem to refer to a conventional stereotyped pose, such as what would be proper for a ceremonial and public context, but rather a spontaneous and individual reaction. The red color impregnating the figure and its probable function as a portrait indicate that it comes from, like many of its type, a burial context.
This ceramic sculpture belongs to a stylistic group that is associated with the name “Las Bocas”, whose zone of archaeological findings is found in the Valley of Izucar and includes a collection of small canyons; the area is known locally as "Painted Horse". Except for some fragments, the majority of the figures were found by the rural population and so do not have an archaeological context available.
