Lot 52
  • 52

Colima Seated Hunchback Figure Protoclassic, ca. 100 B.C.-A.D. 250

Estimate
18,000 - 25,000 USD
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Description

  • Clay
  • Height: 14 in (35.5 cm)
with eyes closed  and mouth open in a trance,  the face ritually tatttooed with curvilinear design, leaning forward with hands placed to his large tapering shins, wearing a loincloth tied front and back and armbands.

Provenance

Nelson A. Rockefeller Collection
Metropolitan Museum of Art, deaccessioned November 1980
Sotheby's, New York, February 25, 1981, lot 200 
Sotheby's, New York, November 18, 1987, lot 133

Exhibited

Chicago, Indian Art of the Americas, Chicago Natural History Museum, August 1-September 28, 1959, cat. no. 24
New York, Art of Ancient Mexico, Museum of Primitive Art, September-November, 1961

Condition

Figure has repair across the upper back torso and back of the head, also repairs and restoration on the PR knee nd PL knee. Face shows natural discoloration of firing.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Most 'saber-shin' figures are also hunchbacks whose physical abnormalities were given special recognition as shamanistic qualites in ancient society. See Townsend (1998:241, Fig. 18) and Sotheby's, New York, May 17 and 18, 2000, lot 110,  for saber-shin hunchbacks wearing tusk necklaces.