Ixtlán del Rio Style Nayarit Terracotta Sculpture of Woman Holding Cup, 300 BCE - 300 CE
Terracotta
7 x 12.25
PF.3514
Further images
A bold, expressionistic figure rendered in broad planes of clay and painted geometry, this woman holds out her cup in a perpetual gesture of offering. This woman is boldly painted...
A bold, expressionistic figure rendered in broad planes of clay and painted geometry, this woman holds out her cup in a perpetual gesture of offering. This woman is boldly painted with bright orange, and creme. The patterns are all so unique, yet the artist has created a distinct sense of harmony. Multiple ear ornaments adorn her youthful face, and bracelets lay high on her slender arms. The beautiful skirt has designs all over it, and she wears a necklace, and a painted headdress that sits with majesty on the crown of her head, making this female belong to the elite class in this culture. Recognizing that this sculpture suggests the cherished concept of womanhood, it is most likely a representation of a fertility goddess used in rituals. Her gaze is powerful as she makes an offering to the spirits above her. This breathtaking piece powerfully represents the Mexican culture through the symbolism and the composition of form.