Pre-Columbian Anthropomorphic Clay Sculpture | West Mexican Tradition | Circa 300 CE

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Pre-Columbian seated terracotta figure from West Mexico, Nayarit/Jalisco, circa 300 BCE–300 CE
Pre-Columbian seated terracotta figure from West Mexico (Nayarit/Jalisco), circa 300 BCE–300 CE, hand-molded with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface, shaft tomb funerary artifact on black display stand
Pre-Columbian seated terracotta figure from West Mexico (Nayarit/Jalisco), circa 300 BCE–300 CE, hand-molded with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface, shaft tomb funerary artifact on black display stand
Hand-molded West Mexican terracotta figure with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface
Nayarit/Jalisco Pre-Columbian terracotta funerary figure, circa 300 BCE–300 CE, seated pose, black display stand
Ancient West Mexican shaft tomb artifact, hand-molded terracotta, red slip, stylized human figure
Seated Pre-Columbian terracotta figure from Nayarit/Jalisco, burnished surface, funerary shaft tomb piece
West Mexico terracotta figure, hand-molded with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic design, circa 300 BCE–300 CE
Pre-Columbian Nayarit/Jalisco terracotta sculpture, seated anthropomorphic figure, funerary artifact on stand
Ancient West Mexican terracotta figure, hand-crafted, red slip finish, shaft tomb funerary artifact
Seated terracotta figure from West Mexico, Nayarit/Jalisco, 300 BCE–300 CE, hand-molded with red slip
Pre-Columbian Nayarit/Jalisco terracotta shaft tomb figure, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface
  • Pre-Columbian seated terracotta figure from West Mexico, Nayarit/Jalisco, circa 300 BCE–300 CE
  • Pre-Columbian seated terracotta figure from West Mexico (Nayarit/Jalisco), circa 300 BCE–300 CE, hand-molded with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface, shaft tomb funerary artifact on black display stand
  • Pre-Columbian seated terracotta figure from West Mexico (Nayarit/Jalisco), circa 300 BCE–300 CE, hand-molded with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface, shaft tomb funerary artifact on black display stand
  • Hand-molded West Mexican terracotta figure with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface
  • Nayarit/Jalisco Pre-Columbian terracotta funerary figure, circa 300 BCE–300 CE, seated pose, black display stand
  • Ancient West Mexican shaft tomb artifact, hand-molded terracotta, red slip, stylized human figure
  • Seated Pre-Columbian terracotta figure from Nayarit/Jalisco, burnished surface, funerary shaft tomb piece
  • West Mexico terracotta figure, hand-molded with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic design, circa 300 BCE–300 CE
  • Pre-Columbian Nayarit/Jalisco terracotta sculpture, seated anthropomorphic figure, funerary artifact on stand
  • Ancient West Mexican terracotta figure, hand-crafted, red slip finish, shaft tomb funerary artifact
  • Seated terracotta figure from West Mexico, Nayarit/Jalisco, 300 BCE–300 CE, hand-molded with red slip
  • Pre-Columbian Nayarit/Jalisco terracotta shaft tomb figure, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface
Pre-Columbian seated terracotta figure from West Mexico, Nayarit/Jalisco, circa 300 BCE–300 CE
Pre-Columbian seated terracotta figure from West Mexico (Nayarit/Jalisco), circa 300 BCE–300 CE, hand-molded with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface, shaft tomb funerary artifact on black display stand
Pre-Columbian seated terracotta figure from West Mexico (Nayarit/Jalisco), circa 300 BCE–300 CE, hand-molded with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface, shaft tomb funerary artifact on black display stand
Hand-molded West Mexican terracotta figure with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface
Nayarit/Jalisco Pre-Columbian terracotta funerary figure, circa 300 BCE–300 CE, seated pose, black display stand
Ancient West Mexican shaft tomb artifact, hand-molded terracotta, red slip, stylized human figure
Seated Pre-Columbian terracotta figure from Nayarit/Jalisco, burnished surface, funerary shaft tomb piece
West Mexico terracotta figure, hand-molded with red slip, stylized anthropomorphic design, circa 300 BCE–300 CE
Pre-Columbian Nayarit/Jalisco terracotta sculpture, seated anthropomorphic figure, funerary artifact on stand
Ancient West Mexican terracotta figure, hand-crafted, red slip finish, shaft tomb funerary artifact
Seated terracotta figure from West Mexico, Nayarit/Jalisco, 300 BCE–300 CE, hand-molded with red slip
Pre-Columbian Nayarit/Jalisco terracotta shaft tomb figure, stylized anthropomorphic features, burnished surface

Pre-Columbian Anthropomorphic Clay Sculpture | West Mexican Tradition | Circa 300 CE

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: West Mexico (Nayarit or Jalisco)
Material: Hand-molded and burnished terracotta with red slip
Period: Pre-Columbian, circa 300 BCE–300 CE

Description
This 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.

Features

- Seated anthropomorphic terracotta figure with modeled limbs

- Stylized facial features with incised details

- Traces of original red slip and surface burnishing

- Mounted on a custom black museum stand for stability and display

- Strong representation of shaft tomb tradition artistry

Cultural Significance
In 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.

Condition
Good 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.

Dimensions (approximate)
Height: 7 in
Width: 2 in
Depth: 3 in

Age
Circa 300 BCE–300 CE

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: West Mexico (Nayarit or Jalisco)
Material: Hand-molded and burnished terracotta with red slip
Period: Pre-Columbian, circa 300 BCE–300 CE

Description
This 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.

Features

- Seated anthropomorphic terracotta figure with modeled limbs

- Stylized facial features with incised details

- Traces of original red slip and surface burnishing

- Mounted on a custom black museum stand for stability and display

- Strong representation of shaft tomb tradition artistry

Cultural Significance
In 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.

Condition
Good 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.

Dimensions (approximate)
Height: 7 in
Width: 2 in
Depth: 3 in

Age
Circa 300 BCE–300 CE

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