The Pre-Columbian Colima culture (ca. 300
B.C.E.–300 C.E.) of western Mexico is named for
the modern state of Colima, and its sculptors are
especially known for their talent in clay
sculpture. The people of ancient Colima had a
mortuary cult based on the construction of
tombs with shaft entrances leading to
underground burial chambers, and this was the
predominant tomb type in western Mesoamerica.
Most graves were looted by grave-robbers, and
few have been scientifically excavated. Colima
had a long, rich tradition of handmade terracotta
funerary sculpture, which was buried with the
deceased in the tombs.
This piece is a reclinatorio, a type of head and
back rest used by high-ranking officials.
Characterized by red slip and a highly burnished
surface. It may represent a companion spirit that
guided the dead into the underworld. It has a
buff, reddish surface decorated with black
circular markings. The front takes the form of a
stylized fish or amphibian. Two small fins
protrude from the sides of the body further
accentuating the aquatic attributes of this unique
sculpture and a mouth and partial head to the
top left of the vessel.
There is a large inverted spout at the center top
and to the back of the vessel. The vessel may
have contained a special beverage to placate the
gods or for the deceased on his journey through
the afterlife. Alternatively, it may have contained
something related to the ancient sacrificial rites.
The vessel leans back on two human legs which
are bent at the knees from the weight it is
intended to carry. The legs are exquisitely and
realistically formed and ironically appear full of
life. The flat, slightly concaved back surface of
the zoomorphic piece and overall rectangular
design with rounded corners appears to take a
tail like shape towards the bottom upon which
the piece rests. In a funerary context, the Colima
used reclinatorios to prop up the head of the
deceased.
Colima funerary sculpture is especially significant
because it represents a cultural and artistic
tradition distinct from the rest of Mesoamerica.
Most of the sculptures were made specifically for
burial and show no signs of previous use. The
objects thus have symbolic rather than utilitarian
functions. They accompanied the dead into the
afterlife and were probably connected to
religious beliefs and ancestor worship. The
sculptures reveal a positive view of death in
which the living celebrated the life of the
deceased. Since the objects were buried, they are
well preserved. Colima had a hierarchical society,
and the shaft-graves and funerary sculpture
were reserved for the elite. When undisturbed
graves have been opened, sculptures were found
arranged around the bodies of the deceased. The
energy and effort of creating elaborate graves
and grave goods indicate that death was an
important rite of passage in ancient western
Mexico.
