Colima Acrobat Protoclassic, ca. 100 B.C.- A.D. 250

of large proportion, with the contortionist grasping the ankles and head resting on the ground between his feet, the wearing a tasseled loincloth with a bird head as cache-sex, and spout from the center of the belly. 

Edward Merrin Gallery
Marion and Mark Lynton, acquired from the above in 1981

Cologne, Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum, Out of the Depths, Tomb Figures from West Mexico, July 4, 1986-January 11, 1987
Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, Ancient West Mexico, Art of the Unknown Past, September 5-November 22, 1998, continuing to Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, December 20, 1998-March 29, 1999

Gérald Berjonneau, Emile Deletaille, Jean-Louis Sonnery, Rediscovered Masterpieces of Mesoamerica, Boulogne, 1985, no. 200
Out of the Depths, Tomb Figures from West Mexico, Foreword by Peter T. Furst, Cologne, 1986, Fig. 71
Richard F. Townsend, ed., Ancient West Mexico, Art of the Unknown Past, Chicago, 1998, pg. 30, fig. 24, and cat. no. no. 23

Fine form but had various repairs given the large dimension. Repaired cracks and breaks on the spout rim, thighs and belly as shown on the interior , minor break on forearms.
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 is one of the largest and fully inverted of the Colima acrobat vessels. Contortionists had an important role in ritual performances in village societies, a tradition that continued into the Mixtec Postclassic era, see Townsend ed. (1998: 30, Fig. 23) for another highly similar figure, and (ibid:33, Fig. 30) for the Mixtec acrobat-juggler.