A Rare Chinesco Seated Figure, Protoclassic, ca. 100 B.C.-A.D. 250

the ultra-slender stylized body forming graceful, geometric openwork areas, showing a small smile on the tear-shaped head, with long slit eyes, and upturned nose adorned with a bead, the tall forehead with rounded convex coiffure, the curving columnar back painted with spinal designs, and wearing a zigzag patterned loincloth with a wide belt low on the hips, and with armbands. 

Acquired in the 1960s

Gerald Berjonneau, Jean-Louis Sonnery and Emile Deletaille, Rediscovered Masterpieces of Mesoamerica, 1985, p. 171, pl. 239
David Deroche, "Monumental Miniatures: The Saul and Marsha Stanoff Collection," Tribal Arts, 32, Autumn 2003, p. 60

This figure, above all others, epitomizes the language of the Stanoff collection--economy of form, intensity of spirit, and monumentality surpassing actual size. Saul Stanoff considered this the best piece within his Pre-Columbian collection, noting its evocative quality and architectural form. While it loosely relates to Type C Chinesco figures with heart-shaped faces, this figure defies categorization, existing as a masterful example of an artisan's vision of the human spirit and form. For generally related figures, see Townsend, ed. (1998: 26, fig. 17); and Easby and Scott (1970: fig 101), for the unusual Saenz figure.