This outstanding polychrome figure was made by the Chupicuaro, from the Mexican state of Michoacan. It represents a standing woman in the traditional style, with a short, powerful torso, long legs, ample hips and vestigial arms, surmounted by a columnar head. The face is austere, with oval eyes, a snub nose and small lips; the forehead is divided in two by a central line. The ears are pendulous, with holes implying that they may have held earrings. The figure is painted with orange-red paint as a ground, with white pigment delineating the portion in a manner resembling short trousers (from the waist to the mid-leg). Detailing is limited beneath the neck, with tiny hands and fingers, and incised toes; unusually, the navel is pierced through. The torso and face are decorated with a geometric meandriform motif starting in the mid-chest and the mid-face.

The SW Mexican state of Michoacan is situated on the Pacific coast, adjacent to Colima and Jalisco. It is perhaps best-known for the 12th-16th century group the P'urhépecha (also known as the Tarascans due to lexical confusion under early Spanish settlers). The area had been inhabited since the Pre-Classical period, however, notably by the Chupicuaro. Comparatively little is known about this shadowy group, which were primarily based in large settlements situated on lake islands (perhaps for the purpose of defence in what appears to have been an unstable and warring period). They are mainly known for their astonishingly accomplished ceramic traditions as exemplified here. They are aligned with the Western Mexico Shaft Tomb Tradition, which includes the Nayarit and Jalisco groups. The scale of their sites implies considerable social stratification, as does the wealth and luxury of items recovered from the period. Their bold designs red, white and black designs are believed to represent either body-paint or textiles

This is a striking and powerful piece of ancient Mexican art.