This man is seated, hunched over with his hands
resting on his knees and his elbows sticking out.
He appears to be in a state of intense
concentration, perhaps even, in a trance. His
round eyes stare outwards while he clenched his
teeth together, slightly expose through his open
mouth. His head, elongated in the Jalisco
tradition, is covered in a crown featuring a small
arching crest and a central circular button with
and “x” inscribed on it. As well, he wears large
spools decorating his ears. It is popularly
believed by modern scholars that the ancient
nobility of the Jalisco culture would bind their
children’s heads with wooden boards in order to
stretch their skull. This cranial deformation is
thought to be inspired by the maize god who
features a high, prominent brow. As well, this
unique trait would have differentiated the royalty
from the commoners. So clearly, this seated
figure is someone of high rank and importance
within his society. Might he be a king? A
shaman in the midst of a hypnotic trance? The
mysterious quality of this figure only enhances
its extraordinary beauty and historical
significance.
- (PF.6265)
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