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Rare representation of a brown-orange ceramic shaman.
He is shown seated on a curved stool, holding a large offering cup in his right hand. The arms are glued to the elongated body, the hands resting on the knees. It is adorned with a belt as well as rows of bracelets at the wrists and around the knees as well as a large double-row necklace embellished with a central ornament. The face is characterized by small coffee bean eyes framing a long nose overhanging a smiling mouth. The sleek, helmet-shaped hairstyle reveals rich ear embellishments falling to the shoulders on either side. Note here the use of the pelletizing technique found in many cultures of Mesoamerica.
The Tayronas culture flourished in the high coastal massifs and the coastal plain of northern Colombia from the 6th century AD. It is characterized by stone architecture, silversmithing in tumbaga (an alloy of gold and copper), ornaments in polished stone and red pottery on a cream or monochrome background. Lost wax-cast goldsmith's objects suggest the existence of exchanges with neighboring cultures Sinú and San Jorge. Exchanges were also made with Mesoamerica, in particular Costa Rica.
Dimensions: 20.2 x 16.7 cm
Condition: Restoration to the cut and small lack of the belt, traces of manganese oxides
Provenance: Private American collection
Ref: PX06SQKMZI