The Chupícuaro culture, located north of Mexico City in the state of Guanajuato, created a distinctive ceramic tradition including small clay figurines. This example is said to belong to a group of
La alfarería de Chupícuaro, parece estar relacionada con Sudamérica, especialmente con cerámicas de los Andes Septentrionales. La forma de vasija efigie y el asa estribo insinúan fuertemente este vínculo, porque estos elementos no aparecen en la tradición mesoamericana que configura la cultura Olmeca. El sitio de Chupícuaro se encuentra en el valle del río Lerma, …
Burials from ancient villages near Chupicuaro, Guanajuato contain hundreds of pottery offerings. These include brightly colored vessels and solid figurines decorated with appliqué and incision. The
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has recently opened a year long exhibition of The Nelson A. Rockefeller Vision: In Pursuit of the Best in the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, till 5 October 2014.
Clay figurines, mainly nude females, were the most common art of early villages throughout Mesoamerica. The meanings of these sweet, small, intimate works are not known, but they are found both in
Famous for their diminutive size and fine details, Chupícuaro figurines emphasize rounded body contours and triangular faces accented by elongated, slanted eyes. Often the artists contrast the smoothness of skin with striations indicating hair, garnishing the coiffures with red pigment. Many figurines sport elaborate necklaces and ear ornaments; woven bands or hats sometimes adorn their heads. The seated figure may represent a player of the Mesoamerican ballgame, suggested by the wide band protecting his right forearm and the rounded-top hat. Chupícuaro figurines' functions are not well understood. They typically are found in burials, common domestic contexts, and nonarchitectural settings such as agricultural fields. A theme of fertility is implied by the majority depicting women, often with realistically rendered genitalia and generously rounded abdomens. Regardless of their ancient function, the figurines constitute a detailed source of information concerning Chupícuaro body adornment and hairstyles, and their expressive delicacy implies an appreciation of fine craftsmanship.
