Jalisco Polychrome Sculpture of a Seated Warrior - PF.6055,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 13" (33.0cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Jalisco,Medium: Terracotta. Although seated, this warrior remains fierce and ever vigilant with wide, open eyes. A suit of armor replete with painted red stripes covers his torso. The cylindrical armor completely disguises the contours of his shoulders. He brandishes a broad spear or club, again painted red. Yet, the main feature of this sculpture is his head, slightly elongated in typical Jalisco style. He wears a helmet with two small pointed horns similar to the ears of a feline. He wears red earrings that have been engraved with vertical parallel linear decorations and the area around his eyes is covered with black, somewhat reminiscent of a raccoon. Furthermore his septum is pieced, featuring a circular loop. All these details could very well symbolize his rank and order like pins and medals do today. Yet this warrior’s job was not to attack rival civilizations or to defend his home city; he served a greater purpose than the terrestrial battles that plague this world. This warrior was a defender of the afterlife, buried along the deceased to frighten away malevolent spirits. Thus, he will guard the tomb for all eternity, protecting the dead from the unknown evil we all fear. Perhaps this warrior can protect us in life as well as in death.

Antiquities
Ancient Central America & Mexico