Description: This dancing figurine has its origin in Teotihuacan, Mexico, a civilization that flourished between 300 and 650 AD. During that time, Teotihuacan grew rapidly and became the first metropolis in North America. Famous for its long avenue of the dead, its high pyramids and its ornate palaces, the city was a place of worship and to exchange goods and ideas. Teotihuacan was later called “City of the Gods” by the Aztecs. A great body of skilled and increasingly specialized crafters and artists worked to supply the ritual needs for idols, offertorial urns, incense burners, sculptures and murals for temples and tombs, ceremonial garments and ornaments. As such, dancing figurines became abundant. These figurines were arranged in groups to form realistic tableaux of the land of the dead. Scholars believe that their general appearance is very much like the happy residents of the rain god Tlaloc’s paradise shown in the mural of Tlalocán in Teotihuacan. The figurines’ body were formed by hand but the heads were crafted with a mold. Many, such as this one, have hands open so that they could hold a small twig that would come into leaf when reaching paradise. While such figurines were plentiful, many broken off heads of the bodies were found in abundance but complete figures are quite rare. This full body figurine represents a dancing person. Its legs spread out, with the right arm and head is facing the sky. The head is detailed, marked by contoured eyebrows, coffee-bean eyes, a prominent nose and thick lips. Conversely, the arms, legs, hands, and feet are softly rounded and simple in form. This is a rare and original artifact. A great addition to your pre-Columbian art collection, or for any Mexican culture enthusiast. This item was purchased in 2016 for $350. Copy of invoice in one of the images. Title: Dancing figurinePeriod: Pre-ColumbianGeography: MexicoCulture: TeotihuacanDate: 300 - 650 ADMedium: ClayCondition: Good, no parts missing, repaired cracksDimensions: H 10.4 X W 8.8 cm (4.1 X 3.5 in)Provenance: Private Washington, DC collection acquired by descent; ex-private USA collection acquired from E. Foxe Harrell, April 27, 1996 Shipping included anywhere in the United States
Price: 305 USD
Location: Scarsdale, New York
End Time: 2024-11-20T14:45:48.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Color: Beige
Original/Reproduction: Original
Dimensions: H 10.4 X W 8.8 cm (4.1 X 3.5 in)
Material: clay
Culture: Latin American
Maker: Teotihuacan, Mexico
Date: 300 - 650 AD
