Ceramic Pre-Columbian Colima Hunchback Figure Vessel

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A pre-Columbian figural vessel from West Mexico Colima culture (circa 300BC-400AD). Made of molded clay, the stoneware vessel depicts a … Read more A pre-Columbian figural vessel from West Mexico Colima culture (circa 300BC-400AD). Made of molded clay, the stoneware vessel depicts a seated hunchback woman with truncated style arms and opening sprout on top of the head. The highly stylized figure is prominent in its geometrical composition leaning forward with the protruding disformed back. The face is expressively molded with coffee-bean shaped eyes. It appears to be a female figure with the genital being marked so. The surface is beautifully burnished with a red slip showing natural patina and subtle changes in colors, likely due to the long period of being a burial object in a shaft tomb.
Hunchback and dwarf individuals with bodily disfiguration were often seen in the pottery figures of the Colima culture. It is believed by some scholars that they may actually have a high social status as being important in religious life such as a magician or shaman. The sculptural rendition of the figure evokes a strong sense of power and timeless beauty.
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