1989.82 Standing Woman (Huastec, Tamaulipas, Mexico)

This standing woman fits within the Classic period Veracruz stylistic tradition. It is attributed to the Huastec region in the Gulf Coast of Mexico, which had a sophisticated ceramic tradition but little is known archaeologically. Veracruz style ceramics usually depict human figures, often elaborately costumed, in a variety of poses. In this sandstone sculpture, the female wears a dress-like garment, necklace, round ear ornaments, and an ornate square headdress decorated with geometric motifs and double-headed anthropomorphic serpent faces in profile that terminate at the ends of her headband. Portrayed in an ecstatic pose with hands raised upward resting at her waist, this could be a reference to a ritual or ceremonial stance.

This primarily low relief sculpture may have been originally used as decorative architectural ornament, either displayed on a platform in the plaza or as a wall facing or door jamb, as the body of the figure is simplified to conform to the unfinished slab of rock. The Huastecs created austere, shaft-like sculptures of male and female supernatural ancestor figures and deities. Young female images such as this are often interpreted as representations of Tlazolteotl, the Central Mexican goddess of sexual love, fertility, childbirth, purification, curing, and filth, the ancestral grandmother of all people who retained all the knowledge necessary for survival. Tlazolteotl derives from the Gulf Coast region and may have originally been part of the Huastec pantheon. She is sometimes depicted old and sometimes young, as in this example. This sculpture is noteworthy because of its monumental scale, as objects of this size from the Huastec region are rare, and may underscore its original architectural function.

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Huastec: AAT: 300017787

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Tamaulipas (state): TGN: 7005597

sandstone: AAT: 300011376

carving: AAT: 300053149

incising: AAT: 300053847

polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867

drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211

relief (sculpture techniques): AAT: 300053622

Late Postclassic: AAT: 300134119

Early Postclassic period (Mesoamerican periods and styles): AAT: 300016989

Postclassic period (Mesoamerican periods and styles): AAT: 300016987

sculpture: AAT: 300047090

architectural ornament: AAT: 300378995

platforms (general): AAT: 300375665

plazas (squares): AAT: 300008214

ritual objects: AAT: 300312158

ceremonial objects: AAT: 300234117

Gulf Coast Mesoamerican styles: AAT: 300108063

Classic Veracruz styles: AAT: 300017056

Late Classic Veracruz: AAT: 300266231

standing: AAT:  300239500

female: AAT: 300189557

women (female humans): AAT: 300025943

figures: AAT: 300189808

human figures: AAT: 300404114

faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798

face: DMA

head: AAT: 300262520

costume: AAT: 300209261

headdresses: AAT: 300046023

ear ornaments: AAT: 300211279

earspools: AAT: 300209300

necklaces: AAT: 300046001

textiles (visual works): AAT: 300014063

dresses (garments): AAT: 300046159

headbands (headgear): AAT: 300046115

geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764

animals: DMA

serpents (snakes/Serpentes suborder): AAT: 300250870

hands (animal or human components): AAT: 300310193

pose: AAT: 300067390

ancestors: AAT: 300255718

deities: AAT: 300343850

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

Tlazolteotl (Central Mexican deity / goddess of purification (curing) and filth): DMA

goddess: AAT: 300343852

Central America (Mesoamerica): TGN: 7016739

Gulf Coast Mesoamerican styles: AAT: 300108063

purification (cleaning): AAT: 300223800

curing (healing): DMA

traditional medicine: AAT: 300259515

filth (dirty / unclean): DMA

sexuality: AAT: 300055187

love: AAT: 300055165

fertility: AAT: 300379149

births (events): AAT: 300069672

grandmothers: AAT: 300386752

knowledge: AAT: 300055192

monumental: AAT: 300073760

n.d.: Alphonse Kaun, Paris [1], [2]

Until 1984: Norbert Schimmel, Kings Point, NY [1], [2], [3]

1984-1989: Dallas Museum of Art, on long-term loan from the above [1], [2], [3]

From 1989: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Norbert Schimmel in memory of Evelyn Schimmel [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

[1] The main source for this provenance is Object Catalogue Worksheet (dated December 08, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Worksheet (n.d., copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[3] The main source for this provenance is letter from Norbert Schimmel (dated February 22, 1984, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[4] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated September 14, 1989, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[5] The main source for this provenance is Deed of Gift (dated May 22, 1989), copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

Apply to objects where number equals 1989.82