Colima Shaman / Dancer Statuette
Study replica, 2017
This solid terracotta figurine with a beige slip depicts a standing shaman or dancer shown in a dynamic pose. He wears a conical headdress, an elaborate fringed costume with raised motifs, necklaces, and ankle bracelets. His arms are outstretched and legs flexed in a posture typical of ritual dance.
Typical of Colima culture in western Mexico, this piece also serves as a whistle figurine. It reflects the expressive vitality and refinement of western Mexican cultures during the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period (300 BC – AD 200).
Dimensions: H. 23.4 cm; W. 16.8 cm; D. 10.2 cm
Original in the collection of the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, United States (Dancing Figure Whistle).
Study replica, 2017
This solid terracotta figurine with a beige slip depicts a standing shaman or dancer shown in a dynamic pose. He wears a conical headdress, an elaborate fringed costume with raised motifs, necklaces, and ankle bracelets. His arms are outstretched and legs flexed in a posture typical of ritual dance.
Typical of Colima culture in western Mexico, this piece also serves as a whistle figurine. It reflects the expressive vitality and refinement of western Mexican cultures during the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period (300 BC – AD 200).
Dimensions: H. 23.4 cm; W. 16.8 cm; D. 10.2 cm
Original in the collection of the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, United States (Dancing Figure Whistle).
Teotihuacán Feathered Anthropomorphic Mask
Study replica, 2017
This polychrome terracotta mask depicts an anthropomorphic face characteristic of Teotihuacán art. The piece features a slightly open mouth with full lips, a straight nose, almond-shaped eyes, and large discoid ears. It is crowned by an imposing headdress with a crest of curled feathers and retains traces of geometric painted decoration.
Dating to the Classic period (300–600 AD) and possibly originating from Atzcapotzalco, this work exemplifies the technical mastery and sophisticated aesthetic of Teotihuacán culture.
Dimensions: H. 26.2 cm; W. 19.5 cm; D. 20.5 cm
Held in the collection of the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City (Teotihuacán culture).
Study replica, 2017
This polychrome terracotta mask depicts an anthropomorphic face characteristic of Teotihuacán art. The piece features a slightly open mouth with full lips, a straight nose, almond-shaped eyes, and large discoid ears. It is crowned by an imposing headdress with a crest of curled feathers and retains traces of geometric painted decoration.
Dating to the Classic period (300–600 AD) and possibly originating from Atzcapotzalco, this work exemplifies the technical mastery and sophisticated aesthetic of Teotihuacán culture.
Dimensions: H. 26.2 cm; W. 19.5 cm; D. 20.5 cm
Held in the collection of the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City (Teotihuacán culture).
Teotihuacán Miniature Seated Figurine
Study replica, 2017
This small polychrome terracotta figurine depicts a seated figure, characteristic of Teotihuacán art. Delicately modeled, it features a complex headdress and a circular pectoral. It reflects the refinement of Teotihuacán miniature works from the Classic period in Mesoamerica.
Dated to 100 BC–AD 400, these figures were often placed in funerary or domestic contexts, either individually or as part of small couples.
Dimensions: H. 5 cm; W. 4.5 cm; D. 4.2 cm
From Teotihuacán, Mexico.
Study replica, 2017
This small polychrome terracotta figurine depicts a seated figure, characteristic of Teotihuacán art. Delicately modeled, it features a complex headdress and a circular pectoral. It reflects the refinement of Teotihuacán miniature works from the Classic period in Mesoamerica.
Dated to 100 BC–AD 400, these figures were often placed in funerary or domestic contexts, either individually or as part of small couples.
Dimensions: H. 5 cm; W. 4.5 cm; D. 4.2 cm
From Teotihuacán, Mexico.
Teotihuacán Standing Female Figurine with Large Headdress
Study replica, 2017
This terracotta figurine depicts a standing woman wearing a tunic and a large flat rectangular headdress, characteristic of Teotihuacán art. With stylized facial features and ornate earspools, the piece reflects the elegance and monumental presence of anthropomorphic figures from this major Mesoamerican metropolis.
Dating to the Classic period (ca. 2nd–6th centuries AD), it reflects the rich cultural life of Teotihuacán, a cosmopolitan city whose influence spread widely across ancient Mexico.
Dimensions: H. 11 cm; W. 10.5 cm; D. 4.2 cm
In the collection of the Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, United States.
Study replica, 2017
This terracotta figurine depicts a standing woman wearing a tunic and a large flat rectangular headdress, characteristic of Teotihuacán art. With stylized facial features and ornate earspools, the piece reflects the elegance and monumental presence of anthropomorphic figures from this major Mesoamerican metropolis.
Dating to the Classic period (ca. 2nd–6th centuries AD), it reflects the rich cultural life of Teotihuacán, a cosmopolitan city whose influence spread widely across ancient Mexico.
Dimensions: H. 11 cm; W. 10.5 cm; D. 4.2 cm
In the collection of the Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, United States.
Jaina-Style Maize God Figurine
Study replica, 2018
This hollow-modeled ceramic figurine with a red-brown slip and traces of turquoise pigment represents an anthropomorphic figure, likely the Maize God. Characteristic of Jaina-style figurines from Jaina Island (Campeche, Mexico), it features large bulging eyes, a prominent nose, and an elaborate twisted headdress with two turquoise wing-like elements at the sides. The figure wears an ornate costume and holds an object in its hands.
Dating to the Late Classic period (600–900 AD), this whistle figurine reflects the remarkable finesse and creativity of Maya potters from Jaina.
Dimensions: H. 37.1 cm; W. 17.2 cm; D. 8.5 cm
In the collection of the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City.
Study replica, 2018
This hollow-modeled ceramic figurine with a red-brown slip and traces of turquoise pigment represents an anthropomorphic figure, likely the Maize God. Characteristic of Jaina-style figurines from Jaina Island (Campeche, Mexico), it features large bulging eyes, a prominent nose, and an elaborate twisted headdress with two turquoise wing-like elements at the sides. The figure wears an ornate costume and holds an object in its hands.
Dating to the Late Classic period (600–900 AD), this whistle figurine reflects the remarkable finesse and creativity of Maya potters from Jaina.
Dimensions: H. 37.1 cm; W. 17.2 cm; D. 8.5 cm
In the collection of the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City.
Jaina-Style Dignitary or Priest Figurine
Study replica, 2018
This hollow-molded ceramic figurine depicts a standing Maya dignitary or priest. It features a tall cylindrical headdress, a blue-painted face with characteristic motifs, and an elaborate costume with a circular pectoral and molded textile-like details. The turquoise-blue and beige polychromy highlights the elegance and refinement typical of Jaina-style figures.
Dating to the Late Classic period (600–900 AD), this piece also likely functioned as a whistle. It reflects the remarkable diversity and creativity of Maya potters from Jaina Island, Campeche, Mexico.
Dimensions: H. 37.2 cm; W. 19.1 cm; D. 19.4 cm
In the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979, inv. 1979.206.953).
Study replica, 2018
This hollow-molded ceramic figurine depicts a standing Maya dignitary or priest. It features a tall cylindrical headdress, a blue-painted face with characteristic motifs, and an elaborate costume with a circular pectoral and molded textile-like details. The turquoise-blue and beige polychromy highlights the elegance and refinement typical of Jaina-style figures.
Dating to the Late Classic period (600–900 AD), this piece also likely functioned as a whistle. It reflects the remarkable diversity and creativity of Maya potters from Jaina Island, Campeche, Mexico.
Dimensions: H. 37.2 cm; W. 19.1 cm; D. 19.4 cm
In the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979, inv. 1979.206.953).
Olmec Serpentine Mask
Study replica, 2022
This finely carved serpentine mask is characteristic of Olmec art from the Preclassic period (ca. 1500–500 BC). It displays the classic Olmec features: a downturned “jaguar” mouth with parted lips revealing incised teeth, and an artificially elongated skull, a sign of elevated social or ritual rank.
Neither fully human nor entirely supernatural, this mask likely represents a hybrid anthropo-zoomorphic being central to Olmec cosmology and shamanic beliefs.
Dimensions: H. 24.8 cm; W. 27.4 cm; D. 23 cm
From the Olmec culture (southern Mexico – Guatemala), formerly in a private European collection (ex-collection Anna M. Posset).
Study replica, 2022
This finely carved serpentine mask is characteristic of Olmec art from the Preclassic period (ca. 1500–500 BC). It displays the classic Olmec features: a downturned “jaguar” mouth with parted lips revealing incised teeth, and an artificially elongated skull, a sign of elevated social or ritual rank.
Neither fully human nor entirely supernatural, this mask likely represents a hybrid anthropo-zoomorphic being central to Olmec cosmology and shamanic beliefs.
Dimensions: H. 24.8 cm; W. 27.4 cm; D. 23 cm
From the Olmec culture (southern Mexico – Guatemala), formerly in a private European collection (ex-collection Anna M. Posset).
Teotihuacán Anthropomorphic Figurine
Study replica, 2016
This terracotta figurine depicts a standing figure from Teotihuacán in the Valley of Mexico. Characteristic of the Classic period in Mesoamerica (ca. 100–550 AD), it shows a stylized body with broad shoulders, a schematic face with prominent earspools, and a flat headdress. It embodies the restrained yet powerful aesthetic of Teotihuacán art.
Dimensions: H. 18.5 cm; W. 9.1 cm; D. 4.4 cm
In the collection of the Musée du Louvre, Pavillon des Sessions (deposit from the Musée du quai Branly–Jacques Chirac), inv. 70.2001.14.2.
Study replica, 2016
This terracotta figurine depicts a standing figure from Teotihuacán in the Valley of Mexico. Characteristic of the Classic period in Mesoamerica (ca. 100–550 AD), it shows a stylized body with broad shoulders, a schematic face with prominent earspools, and a flat headdress. It embodies the restrained yet powerful aesthetic of Teotihuacán art.
Dimensions: H. 18.5 cm; W. 9.1 cm; D. 4.4 cm
In the collection of the Musée du Louvre, Pavillon des Sessions (deposit from the Musée du quai Branly–Jacques Chirac), inv. 70.2001.14.2.
Olmec "Baby-Face" Figurine Holding a Ball
Study replica, 2016
This hollow terracotta figurine with a cream slip depicts a human figure of indeterminate sex in a dynamic pose, characteristic of Olmec art. Within the so-called "Baby-Face" style (Group 2), it features a large head with childlike traits, a stocky body, and one hand raised, holding a ball-like object.
Dating to the Middle Formative period (1200–800 BC), this piece exemplifies the powerful and enigmatic aesthetic of Olmec culture and likely originates from the Las Bocas region (Puebla, Mexico).
Dimensions: H. 27.5 cm; W. 24.5 cm; D. 14.2 cm
From the collection of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (de Young Museum), San Francisco, California.
Study replica, 2016
This hollow terracotta figurine with a cream slip depicts a human figure of indeterminate sex in a dynamic pose, characteristic of Olmec art. Within the so-called "Baby-Face" style (Group 2), it features a large head with childlike traits, a stocky body, and one hand raised, holding a ball-like object.
Dating to the Middle Formative period (1200–800 BC), this piece exemplifies the powerful and enigmatic aesthetic of Olmec culture and likely originates from the Las Bocas region (Puebla, Mexico).
Dimensions: H. 27.5 cm; W. 24.5 cm; D. 14.2 cm
From the collection of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (de Young Museum), San Francisco, California.
Tlatilco Acrobat Figurine
Study replica, 2019
This elegant terracotta figurine depicts an acrobat captured in a dynamic pose. Characteristic of Western Mexican artistic traditions (Tlatilco and related cultures), it exemplifies one of the most distinctive themes of the Preclassic period: representations of performers in ritual contexts.
Dating to ca. 1250–900 BC, the piece demonstrates the technical mastery of Tlatilco potters, with fluid modeling and traces of polychromy.
Dimensions: H. 38.1 cm; W. 28.1 cm; D. 18.4 cm
From the Preclassic Tlatilco culture (Western Mexico). Figurines of this type have appeared in numerous major international exhibitions and publications, including those at the Museum of Primitive Art, New York, and Princeton University Art Museum.
Study replica, 2019
This elegant terracotta figurine depicts an acrobat captured in a dynamic pose. Characteristic of Western Mexican artistic traditions (Tlatilco and related cultures), it exemplifies one of the most distinctive themes of the Preclassic period: representations of performers in ritual contexts.
Dating to ca. 1250–900 BC, the piece demonstrates the technical mastery of Tlatilco potters, with fluid modeling and traces of polychromy.
Dimensions: H. 38.1 cm; W. 28.1 cm; D. 18.4 cm
From the Preclassic Tlatilco culture (Western Mexico). Figurines of this type have appeared in numerous major international exhibitions and publications, including those at the Museum of Primitive Art, New York, and Princeton University Art Museum.