MAKE A MEME View Large Image Colima - Seated Male with Trophy Heads - Walters 20092010 - Three Quarter Left.jpg This figure-as-vessel features a seated male of commanding presence The sculptor painted the jar's orifice and the man's arms with dark red slip to contrast ...
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Keywords: Colima - Seated Male with Trophy Heads - Walters 20092010 - Three Quarter Left.jpg This figure-as-vessel features a seated male of commanding presence The sculptor painted the jar's orifice and the man's arms with dark red slip to contrast with the piece's otherwise orange-red coloration The figure's loins are covered by the typical male hip cloth indicated here by incised lines He holds a gourd-shaped bowl to his mouth ready to drink its contents perhaps a chocolate or alcoholic beverage A helmetlike head covering includes an arched element above each ear and a hornlike protrusion at the front The sculpture might portray a warrior implied by the two trophy heads slung across his chest and hanging at his sides The horned element atop the figure's forehead suggests other interpretations particularly that of a shaman and his supernatural horn The shaman would use the horn to battle malevolent spiritual forces the horn also symbolizing his tonally vital essence and spirit power An alternative interpretation views the hornlike element as a symbol of social hierarchy and rulership sacrifice and cosmic geography and the earth's fertility It represents a prong cut from a conch shell that throughout Mesoamerica was associated with rituals of sacrifice and warfare and also expressed political rank As such the figure may be understood as portraying a person of social and political authority based on religious ideology This latter interpretation is supported by the feasting implication of the figure holding the gourd-shaped bowl feasting being an integral part of elite activities throughout the ancient Americas 100 BC-AD 300 Comala Phase earthenware burnished slip paint in red and light brown with incising cm 43 6 25 27 2 accession number 2009 20 10 80165 Michael Robins date and mode of acquisition unknown John G Bourne date and mode of acquisition unknown Walters Art Museum Gift of John Bourne 2009 place of origin Colima Mexico Walters Art Museum license Objects from Colima in the Walters Art Museum Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review Colima ceramic figurines
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