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Tumaco / La Tolita Figure, Pre-Columbian browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian: Sculpture: Pre AD 1000: Item # 950322
Riverbend Gallery By Appointment Athens, GA 30605 706-424-4626 Guest Book $285 |
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A very fine example of a seated figure from the ancient Tumaco or La Tolita culture of Pre-Columbian Ecuador and/or Colombia, circa 300 B.C. - 300 A.D. Measuring approximately 5 3/4" tall by about 3 1/2" wide, this example shows an elaborately-adorned seated figure. They are depicted wearing ear ornaments, a large nose ornament, a large neck ornament, upper arm bands, a chest medallion and loin cloth. The figure also prominently features a complex, layered head dress, with pointed upper edges and what are likely representative of attached discs with concentric circles (likely indicative of gold or silver ornamentation). Significantly, the chest medallion matches the same ornamentation repeated on the head dress. The figure exhibits a serene, subdued posture and expression, that may indicate a drug or meditation-induced state of trance. Interestingly, the head appears to have been re-attached at the neck from an ancient break, with expert, matching restoration over the break line. If so, the break was likely intentional, as it would appear that the strike point would have correlated to the ancient loss on the upper left portion of the head dress. This implies an intentional strike/break, which may have been done as part of a ceremony or ritual, or to ritually "kill" the item as a burial offering. There are many intriguing possibilities to ponder. Condition: As mentioned, there appears to be expert, matching restoration over a clean (and likely intentional) ancient break line at the neck. Otherwise intact. There is ancient loss to the left side of the head dress, with wear patterns and soft edges consistent with the wear overall. Minor abrasions, chipping and wear overall, featuring the softly-weathered features typical of ancient, authentic Tumaco/La Tolita figures. mineral deposits overall. NOTE: what appears to be a white line across the shoulder and one side of the neck is not a break line, but rather is a line of white mineral deposits that likely correspond to a sediment layer in burial. Provenance: Former Arte Primitivo. Before that, former Denmark private collection. A striking example of a Tumaco / La Tolita figure that displays impressively. |
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