An Olmec Seated Baby, Guerrero region, Early Preclassic, ca. 1200-900 B.C.

Gérald Berjonneau, Jean-Louis Sonnery, and Emile Deletaille, Rediscovered Masterpieces of Mesoamerica, 1985, p. 52, plate 45

The hollow, kaolin-slipped figures of the Olmec era are one of the more enigmatic and intriguing figural types of Pre-Columbian art. These baby figures may represent an infant cult or be part of lineage rituals, as they are found in domestic and ceremonial areas. Generally of a consistent size, the figures depict a time of infancy before language, when potent, nonverbal communication with the invisible world, ancestors or forces of good or evil, is possible, as was believed by many ancient societies.

The Stanoff figure is one of three known of the Xochipala style, all with highly similar posture. The relationship between the three main Olmec sociopolitical groups of the Basin of Mexico, Gulf Coast region, and the highland areas of Guerrero, is a complex and much studied question. The fine jade and serpentine figures and masks, and white-slipped baby figures from Xochipala, Guerrero, indicate a sophisticated and evolved artistic level in this region. Recent excavations at Teopantecuanitlan securely date the assocciated baby figures to 1000-800 B.C. (Benson and de la Fuente 1996:184).
For the two other baby figures, see (ibid: pl. 20) and Deletaille, ed. (1992: fig. 77) for the baby in the Janssen collection.