Colima Vessel in the Form of a Shaman's Head - PF.2858,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. This unusual jar-like vessel has a striking presence. It holds a comical edge while also maintaining an element of the mystical. It's slight smile and slanted eyes allude to a sense of mischievousness. As a shaman figure, its exaggerated robustness suggests that the figure is so full of powers that it is nearly busting. Since this piece is a vessel, this fact may have been both spiritually and literally true. For this vessel may have been used to hold magic potions used in incantations and rituals. He has one horn that to channel energy form the gods. His ears have been pierced suggesting that the piece was once elaborately adorned. This piece captures the Pre-Columbian spirituality in both its sense of mysticism as well as its Universal humanistic appeal.

Antiquities
Ancient Central America & Mexico