Veracruz Standing Figure

The Miller Family Collection, Chicago, acquired by May 8, 1973 (listed in the May 8, 1973 appraisal of the collection)

Thence by descent to the present owner

The Remojadas priest figures are depicted wearing elaborate ceremonial attire and are often covered in the resinous, black bitumen - a material used to indicate their status. Tasseled ornaments - perhaps evoking shells - project from this figure's ankles, legs, and wristbands. His arms are wrapped in feathered bands, seemingly swaying with the shaking rattles held by the priest. The figure's youthful, squared face has characteristically narrowed eyes with bead pupils; his head is covered with knotted bands.

Cf. For a highly similar figure, see Marilyn M. Goldstein, Ceremonial Sculpture of Ancient Veracruz, Brookville, 1988, p. 59, fig. 65 for a highly similar figure; for the same type of figure, see H. B. Nicholson et al., Ancient Art of Veracruz, Los Angeles, 1971, p. 55 fig. 32, and p. 57, fig. 39.