Sculpture: Africa, Pacific, Americas
Sculpture: Africa, Pacific, Americas
Property from the Estate of Patsy R. Taylor
Jalisco Figure of a Chief, Ameca-Etzatlán Style, Protoclassic, circa 100 BC - AD 250
Lot Closed
December 4, 05:24 PM GMT
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Property from the Estate of Patsy R. Taylor
Jalisco Figure of a Chief, Ameca-Etzatlán Style
Protoclassic, circa 100 BC - AD 250
Height: 19 1/2 in (49.5 cm)
Edward H. Merrin, New York
Gray and Patsy R. Taylor, Greenwich, acquired from the above in April, 1971
Gray and Patsy R. Taylor, Greenwich, acquired from the above in April, 1971
The masterful modeling and quality of this male figure reflect his importance as a revered high ranking ancestor of the community. With his strong and youthful physique, he leans back on his left hand with his right hand outstretched above his knee. He is fully engaged in a motion of both readiness and ease. His head is turned slightly with wide alert eyes, conveying confidence and authority. The liveliness, engaging expression, and lustrous coloring, make this figure a defining example of the great art of the Ameca-Etzatlán region.
He wears the signature constricting arm and leg bands, each decorated with rows of applied beads, trunks covering his upper thighs and a headband centering a circular medallion. A group of closely related figures are believed to represent the chiefs or ballplayers of the community. The ballgame was a well established ceremonial activity that leaders participated in as part of the maintenance of social status and authority.
For similar figures, see Richard F. Townsend, ed., Ancient West Mexico: Art and Archaeology of the Unknown Past, Chicago, 1998, p. 20, fig. 8, cat. no. 116, and p. 157, fig. 8, cat. no. 131.
He wears the signature constricting arm and leg bands, each decorated with rows of applied beads, trunks covering his upper thighs and a headband centering a circular medallion. A group of closely related figures are believed to represent the chiefs or ballplayers of the community. The ballgame was a well established ceremonial activity that leaders participated in as part of the maintenance of social status and authority.
For similar figures, see Richard F. Townsend, ed., Ancient West Mexico: Art and Archaeology of the Unknown Past, Chicago, 1998, p. 20, fig. 8, cat. no. 116, and p. 157, fig. 8, cat. no. 131.