This wonderful pre-classic female figure used in funerary ritual is made of fired hollow clay. She is adorned with Jalisco cultural traits, symbolism. And values. The beautiful features and decorations...
This wonderful pre-classic female figure used in funerary ritual is made of fired hollow clay. She is adorned with Jalisco cultural traits, symbolism. And values. The beautiful features and decorations on the figure indicate that she is of wealthy and noble status. Her elongated head suggests cranial deformation, a sign of high class and beauty. She wears a decorated headdress, earspools, arm bracelets, and a necklace. Each item is accentuated by detailed artwork of painted designs or painted beads. The face and the body shows color designs of dark paint on already rich orange base colors of the fired clay surf ace. In addition, the figure's femininity and fertility, import ant aspects in pre-classic Meso-American cultures, are emphasized. Her protruding breasts are enhanced with dark painted patterns. She has no legs but a large torso and thighs, which are common signs of fertility. The seated figure, thus, show how people of Jalisco cherished life and regeneration. Although the clay figure had funerary ritual purposes, it also successfully symbolizes the idea of fertility and life.