{"product_id":"pre-columbian-anthropomorphic-clay-sculpture-west-mexican-tradition-circa-300-bce-300-ce","title":"Pre-Columbian Anthropomorphic Clay Sculpture | West Mexican Tradition | Circa 300 BCE–300 CE","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"211\" data-start=\"178\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"209\" data-start=\"178\"\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"376\" data-start=\"213\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"224\" data-start=\"213\"\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e West Mexico (Nayarit or Jalisco)\u003cbr data-end=\"260\" data-start=\"257\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"273\" data-start=\"260\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-molded and burnished terracotta with red slip\u003cbr data-end=\"327\" data-start=\"324\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"338\" data-start=\"327\"\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pre-Columbian, circa 300 BCE–300 CE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1065\" data-start=\"378\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"393\" data-start=\"378\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1065\" data-start=\"378\"\u003eThis evocative terracotta figure, seated with bent knees and slightly extended arms, exemplifies the artistry of the West Mexican shaft tomb tradition. The broad face and stylized features are carefully modeled, conveying both presence and stability. Traces of the original red slip remain visible across the surface, softly eroded from centuries of burial. Figures such as this were created as ritual companions for the deceased, placed within shaft tombs to act as guardians, ancestral effigies, or protective spirits. Mounted on a custom black museum stand, this example demonstrates both the expressive power and cultural depth of early Mesoamerican funerary art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1081\" data-start=\"1067\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1079\" data-start=\"1067\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1145\" data-start=\"1084\"\u003e- Seated anthropomorphic terracotta figure with modeled limbs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1195\" data-start=\"1148\"\u003e- Stylized facial features with incised details\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1250\" data-start=\"1198\"\u003e- Traces of original red slip and surface burnishing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1319\" data-start=\"1253\"\u003e- Mounted on a custom black museum stand for stability and display\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1378\" data-start=\"1322\"\u003e- Strong representation of shaft tomb tradition artistry\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1933\" data-start=\"1380\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1405\" data-start=\"1380\"\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1933\" data-start=\"1380\"\u003eIn West Mexican ritual culture, terracotta figures played a central role in funerary practice. Placed in shaft tombs, they served as guardians, companions, or ancestral representations to protect and guide the deceased into the afterlife. Their forms often emphasized fertility, vitality, and protective presence, symbolizing the enduring relationship between the living and their ancestors. As such, they provide invaluable insight into the beliefs, social structures, and ritual practices of early Mesoamerican societies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2171\" data-start=\"1935\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1948\" data-start=\"1935\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2171\" data-start=\"1935\"\u003eGood archaeological condition with surface encrustations, mineral deposits, and expected slip losses consistent with age and burial. No evidence of modern overpainting. Stable and structurally sound, ready for display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2246\" data-start=\"2173\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2201\" data-start=\"2173\"\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2246\" data-start=\"2173\"\u003eHeight: 7 in\u003cbr data-end=\"2219\" data-start=\"2216\"\u003eWidth: 2 in\u003cbr data-end=\"2233\" data-start=\"2230\"\u003eDepth: 3 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2280\" data-start=\"2248\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2255\" data-start=\"2248\"\u003eAge\u003cstrong data-end=\"2201\" data-start=\"2173\"\u003e (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2280\" data-start=\"2248\"\u003e1,700–2,300 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"West Mexican Art and Material Culture\" href=\"https:\/\/textilemuseum.ca\/cloth_clay\/resources\/west_mexican-2.html\"\u003eWest Mexican Art \u0026amp; Material Culture\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e and its ancient artistic traditions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse Our \u003cstrong\u003e \u003ca title=\"Explore Ancient Pre-Columbian Artifacts at Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\" href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/ancient-pre-columbian-artifacts-relics\"\u003e Collection of Ancient Pre-Columbian Artifacts \u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic and Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51339358339394,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Pre-Columbian_West_Mexican_Seated_Terracotta_Figure_Nayarit_Jalisco_Shaft_Tomb_Art_300_BCE_300_CE.jpg?v=1772064749","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/pre-columbian-anthropomorphic-clay-sculpture-west-mexican-tradition-circa-300-bce-300-ce","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}