Time in Things II. Contemporary Art Galleries
Sitting anthropomorphic figurine representing an elite figure | Time in Things II. Contemporary Art Galleries | Museo Amparo, Puebla
Sitting anthropomorphic figurine representing an elite figure | Time in Things II. Contemporary Art Galleries | Museo Amparo, Puebla
Sitting anthropomorphic figurine representing an elite figure | Time in Things II. Contemporary Art Galleries | Museo Amparo, Puebla
Sitting anthropomorphic figurine representing an elite figure | Time in Things II. Contemporary Art Galleries | Museo Amparo, Puebla
Sitting anthropomorphic figurine representing an elite figure | Time in Things II. Contemporary Art Galleries | Museo Amparo, Puebla
Sitting anthropomorphic figurine representing an elite figure | Time in Things II. Contemporary Art Galleries | Museo Amparo, Puebla

Sitting anthropomorphic figurine representing an elite figure

Culture Cultures from Southern-Central Veracruz
Region South-Central Veracruz
Year 600-900 A.D.
Technique Modeled clay with tar and pastillage applications
Record number 52 22 MA FA 57PJ 1239
Period Late Classic
Measures 30.2   x 19.7  x 19  cm
Location Contemporary Art Galleries. Pre-Columbian Artworks
Researcher

During the Late Classic in south-central Veracruz, a specialization in the elaboration of terracotta sculptures of different sizes was developed, even with dimensions approximating a person (1.50 m). Hence, anthropomorphic sculptures are well-detailed in of the body features that compose them, as well as in the anatomical positions of repose and of various activities.  

This piece corresponds to a seated figure with crossed legs and its hands on raised knees; its dimensions are 32.1 cm high and 18 cm wide. This type of seated figurines, particularly in this position, is a constant since the Protoclassic (100 B. C. - 300 A. D.) with the figurines from the south-central region such as the Dios Narigudo type I defined by Alfonso Medellin Zenil; although it is a less elaborate representation, it is usually in that position but without the raised knees.  

The preparation technique involved modeling with a polished finish. The trunk of the body and the limbs are made by adhering tubes, as seen in the t of each part, the color of the orange paste. The interior of the piece is hollow with the heat escape opening at the back of it (a small hole in the top of the head, a large opening in the neck, and two more medium-sized circular openings on the back of each arm at shoulder height). A medium circular opening in each heel of the figurine, and three small circular opening placed semicircularly on the upper part of the ears are also observed. Also on its seated part is the hollow of the trunk tube, as well as the t of the lower limbs cut so that the piece remains seated since a flat base is formed.  

The shape of the head is round with an apparent cranial deformation. The face is oval with a rounded chin; the eyes are semi-oblique in bas-relief with bulging eyelids and with the representation of the superciliary arches; the pupils are represented with circular tar; the gaze is centered in front and the tear ducts are not observed. The nose is complete with the pointed tip; it has worn tar paint. The outer nostrils are embossed, and the inner nostrils are not visible. The mouth is open and semi-oblique with downward corners and with an evident overbite; the upper lip is thick, and the lower lip is thin; the front incisors are visible with apparent dental mutilation in high relief and the lower incisors represented in bas-relief, all painted with tar. The subnasal sulcus and nasolabial sulci are not marked. The shape of the ears is slightly circular with circular earrings applied to the pastillage with a lower extension (two horizontal lines are marked on the top of them).  

The adornments of the headdress are also applied with pastillage. It has a circular band that runs behind the ears; an adornment is placed above it in the center, possibly representing a small pot.  

On the neck there are two bands with pastillage, running horizontally, and under the lower band in the center a horizontally placed bow is represented with a tie in the center; below this and running from the shoulders, there is a necklace painted with tar with balls made of the pastillage and with incisions in the shape of a cross in each one of them.

On the shoulders, two horizontal lines of six circular protuberances made of pastillage and painted with tar are represented. The arms go down at the ends of the figurine with the hands on its knees; each hand has two horizontally placed wristbands made of pastillage. The fingers are represented with vertical incisions and the semicircular nails are in bas-relief.  

On the front of the torso of the figurine, there is a pastillage girdle cut in the form of square meshes on the top, which is decorated with punches that possibly indicate that it is made of leather. On this girdle there is a large bow with a knot at the center and it is also decorated with circular punching.  

The figurine is seated with its legs crossed and its hands on its knees; on each ankle it has a band decorated with a ribbon bow on the front of the instep corresponding to the knots of the sandals worn by the figure. The toes are embossed with vertical incisions and the nails are represented in a semicircular bas-relief.

During the Late Classic in south-central Veracruz, a specialization in the elaboration of terracotta sculptures of different sizes was developed, even with dimensions approximating a person (1.50 m). Hence, anthropomorphic sculptures are well-detailed in of the body features that compose them, as well as in the anatomical positions of repose and of various activities.  

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Time in Things II. Contemporary Art Galleries