Chupícuaro, Guanajuato, Mexiko Terracotta Figur. 400 v. Chr. – 1000 n. Chr. 6 cm H. Spanische Importlizenz.

Figure.

Chupícuaro, Guanajuato, Mexico, 400 BC-1000 AD.

Terracotta.

6 cm height.

PROVENANCE: Romy Rey private collection, London, United Kingdom.

CONDITION: Good condition.

DESCRIPTION:

This culture’s territory was located in what is now the far north of Mexico, in the area of the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, and particularly Guanajuato. The region comprises three types of natural landscape: plateaus, volcanic mountain ranges, and grasslands. The grasslands are semi-tropical while the other areas have a temperate climate.

The Chupícuaro culture had its origins in the Ticomán culture, but emerged in the late pre-classical and early classical periods. Its ceramic tradition is related to those of El Arbolillo and Zacatenco, and the use of the stirrup handle has led to speculation that they may have been connected to Northern Peruvian cultures, in which this style of ceramic handle was common.

The Chupícuaro produced polished ceramics decorated mainly with black and cream geometrical designs on a red background. The ceramic forms they made include bowls with conical bases, dishes, and some bottles with stirrup handles. Multicolored human figurines were also made and decorated with the same designs used on their dishes, with barely discernable facial features. The best known Chupícuaro female figurines are the “diagonal eyed” figures, which were occasionally painted in vivid colors but usually left unpainted and finely decorated with appliqués of clay and clay slip. These figures are mostly represented nude and with clearly female anatomy, but some pieces are wearing elaborate headdresses and clothing, and all sport unique hairstyles and body decorations. The figurines date from the last stage of the ancient tradition of female representations that began with the Tlatilco culture. The Chupícuaro also produced ceramic flutes, ocarinas, and earpieces, and used bone and seashell to make a wide variety of ornaments.







Notes:
- The piece includes authenticity certificate.
- The piece includes Spanish Export License.
- The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.