This man is seated on the ground, resting his
right hand on his raised knee and his other on
the side of his leg, resting upon the ground. He
is posed in a comfortable, relaxed posture,
especially when one considers the other anxious
poses that are typical of Jalisco art. This
individual wears large, round earrings as well as
a nose ring that hangs between his two nostrils.
His mouth is slightly ajar, although his teeth are
not visible, giving off the illusion that he is in the
midst of taking a breath. A fancy headband has
been wrapped around his elongated head. The
sculptor has carefully elaborated the headband,
with incised geometric marks that decorate the
front. In addition, this figure wears a painted
necklace of black beads. His shoulders feature
several small bumps that are characteristic of
Jalisco art and are believed to represent ritual
keloid scarification. This astounding work of art
was discovered buried alongside the deceased in
a tomb. Such sculptures may have served as
companions for the afterlife. Whatever its
funerary significance, a work such as this
sculpture continues to look after us today,
excavated from below and brought into a new
world and age. What does he have to teach us
about the past?
- (PF.6266)
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