It is likely that the modeled personage is a warrior, if, perhaps, the rectangular tablet superimposed on his left forearm is interpreted as a shield; another possibility is that it represents a sheet of metal. His posture is peculiar; arms bent towards the body and small clenched fists. There is no doubt that this is an individual of high status who appears to be speaking.
Sculptures similar to this one were found in the early 1960's in one of the cemeteries located in the west of the city of El Chanal, the largest settlement with ceremonial stone architecture with surface and features of urban design preserved in the current entity of Colima. It is located just north of the city with the same name. The El Chanal culture existed in the last centuries before the Conquest although by then it had already collapsed. It existed on both sides of the Colima River, hence the settlement's east and west division.
As for burials, it has been reported that gold leaf was found over the corpses, so the tablet worn by the sculpture could refer to that. His attire consists of a cap or helmet, large circular earrings, maxtlatl, leg bands, sandals and a small disc on his back, which possibly represents a pyrite mirror, similar to a dorsal shield. Some garments retain traces of red and white paint that could have been applied after firing. The rhomboidal design with cross-linked points on the back of the maxtlatl stands out because it suggests a textile decoration.
The same colored body paint was also used on the face and torso: bands of triangles and staggered shapes, respectively. A censer with a loose lid projects upwards from the back of the individual with vertical elongated shapes that protrude from the middle. The lid and hull have a similar treatment: one half with protuberances that give the appearance of a vegetable cortex, and the other half smooth with circular perforations, so that from the inside of the hollow figure smoke or incense could exit through these holes.
Thus, the ceremonial nature of the image is emphasized, even more so if we recall that it possibly served as a burial offering. One of the most interesting elements of the work at hand is the equipal, a type of chair that currently has an important ritual and hierarchical use among the Wixaritari or Huichol and which are manufactured in industrial numbers in Zacoalco, Jalisco. It can have back and arm rests and is characterized by its manufacture with perishable materials, particularly plants.
This and other ceramic sculptures of the El Chanal culture are, to my knowledge, the oldest evidence of this characteristic furniture of indigenous peoples of Western Mesoamerican. As can be seen, it has a cylindrical shape, in the middle rods of laced otate or reed are represented and fastened above and below to a hoop; the structure would be bound together with plant fibers and resins, the seat itself would be woven palm or perhaps animal leather. In the art of El Chanal figures seated on equipales are exclusively male, they can be interpreted as images of rulers with religious duties.
