1973.55 Hunched seated figure (Colima, Mexico, West Mexico)

Small carvings of human figures are a common sculptural theme among the various cultural groups of both Central and West Mexico. Lapidary artists favored a variety of precious materials for their small-scale sculptures, including alabaster, obsidian, jade, serpentine, and other varieties of greenstone. This is a fine example of stone carving from Late Preclassic (Late Formative) Colima. This region is known for a wide variety of sculptural styles from multiple cultural groups that inhabited this area of Western Mexico, though it is best known for its distinctive ceramics. It is believed that many of these small-scale carvings were included among funerary goods of the elite.

This figurine depicts a seated figure with hips wide and legs spread. This birthing pose appears in contemporaneous Olmec art often as the embodiment of creation, and, alternatively, the pose is similar to that of bloodletting rituals in Classic Maya art. It is not known whether there may be a comparable association, but this image may also represent transformation—the pose appears very frog or toad-like when viewed from the rear. Considering the human features are only subtlety indicated, this image could thus represent the merging of human and animal characteristics, possibly the transformation into a supernatural form, in which the figure channels the power of such creatures.

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Colima (West Coast Mesoamerican styles): AAT: 300017197

West Coast Mesoamerican styles: AAT: 300017196

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Colima (state/Mexico): TGN: 7016644

greenstone (rock): AAT: 300386691

carving: AAT: 300053149

incising: AAT: 300053847

polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867

drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211

Formative Period (Preclassic): AAT: 300016973

Preclassic (Archaic / Formative / Mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016967

Late Preclassic Period (Formative): AAT: 300016976

sculpture: AAT: 300047090

effigies (funerary sculpture): AAT: 300047108

funerary objects: AAT: 300234126

human figures: AAT: 300404114

figures (representations): AAT: 300189808

male: AAT: 300189559

nude: AAT: 300189568

sitting (seated): AAT: 300263970

crouching: DMA

births (events): AAT: 300069672

pose: AAT: 300067390

bloodletting (self-sacrifice / ritual): DMA

blood: AAT: 300011797

cosmology (cosmological / disciplines): AAT: 300054294

creation (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300069002

transformations (concepts / processes): DMA

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

animals: DMA

amphibians (Amphibia class): AAT: 300249665

frogs (animals): AAT: 300250018

toads: AAT: 300252284

tombs: AAT: 300005926

burials: AAT: 300263485

miniature (size): AAT: 300121995

green (color): AAT: 300128438

shiny (shine): AAT: 300065244

n.d.: Dr. and Sra. Josué Sáenz, Mexico, D.F. [1], [2]

Until 1973: Edward H. Merrin Gallery, Inc., New York [1], [2]

From 1973: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott and The Eugene McDermott Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, purchased from the above [1], [2], [3]

[1] The main source for this provenance is Object Worksheet (n.d., 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 Record (dated March 13, 1973, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[3] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

Apply to objects where number equals 1973.55