Standing Female Figurine

Culture: Chupícuaro
Period: Late Formative period, c.300 BCE–300 CE
Date: c.300 BCE–300 CE
Material: Ceramic with slip
made in: Guanajuato state, Mexico, North and Central America
associated with: Acámbaro, Guanajuato state, Mexico, North and Central America
Classification: Ceramics, sculpture
Collection: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Current Location: On View, Gallery 114
Dimensions: 10 1/2 x 4 3/8 x 3 in. (26.7 x 11.1 x 7.6 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Morton D. May
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 144:1979

NOTES

With its geometric body designs and bold red and black palette, this female figurine represents one of the most iconic images from ancient West Mexico. The body decorations may have mimicked textile designs or indicated a specific status or ritual performance. The figure's exaggerated hips are generally thought to reference female fertility.

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