Colima Figure of a Seated Chief Protoclassic, ca. 100 B.C.-A.D. 250

the meditative leader seated with feet pressed together and balancing a conch shell trumpet on his knee, the symbol of power and authority also displayed in his headgear with a shell tip projecting from the delicately fringed headband, wearing a finely segmented collar draped over the shoulders.

Hokin Gallery, Chicago
New York private collectors, acquired from the above in the early 1970's
Sotheby's, New York, May 19, 1992, lot 110, consigned by the above

Chicago, Ancient West Mexico, Art of the Unknown Past, The Art Institute of Chicago, September 5-November 22, 1998 continuing to
Los Angeles,  Los Angeles County Museum of Art, December 20, 1998-March 29, 1999

Richard F. Townsend ed., Ancient West Mexico, Art of the Unknown Past, The Art Institute of Chicago, 1998, pg. 193, fig. 2, and illustrated on the front cover

Overall excellent; excellent color and surface, horn is repainted and probably restored; clean repair to rim of conch shell as visible.
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.

This figure was featured in the 1998 ground-breaking exhibition on West Mexican art at the Art Institute of Chicago, as an example of the chieftains from the ancient societies in Colima, Nayarit and Jalisco. Surveys and architectural remains of circular platforms have confirmed the sophisticated sociopolitical level of large village clusters, and burials revealed high-status individuals that were interred with Strombus shells among the offerings. Shells were important as a trade commodity, and significant as wind instruments. For a similar figure with conch shell, see von Winning (1974: fig. 40).