Chupícuaro Statuette, Guanajuato State, Mexico, 500 To 100 Bc Pre-columbian Art

Female Statuette Holding a Duck, Rare terracotta figurine representing a young woman standing, holding a duck in her hands. She is adorned with a rich multi-strand necklace, tambas in her ears and a large turban on her head. Symbolic perforations are present on the eyes and mouth, adding a ritual dimension to her representation. Beige terracotta with coffee-red decoration, missing one leg, see photos. Chupícuaro, Guanajuato State, Mexico, 500 to 100 BC. Dimensions: 7.7 x 3.1 cm Provenance: old collection, Fayetteville, Arkansas, established from the 1960s; Artemis Gallery, Louisville, USA. Symbolism and Interpretation The Chupícuaro culture, flourishing between 500 and 100 BC, is renowned for its exquisitely detailed terracotta figurines. Animals, especially aquatic birds like the duck, occupied a significant place in their iconography. These birds, present in lakes and marshes, were probably associated with the vital elements of water and fertility. In this statuette, the young woman holding a duck could symbolize an offering or a ritual linked to prosperity. Its rich ornamentation suggests a high status or a spiritual function. The perforations on the eyes and mouth bring a mystical dimension: they could evoke a double gaze, both earthly and divine, or a double speech, between the profane and the sacred. The duck held by the figure could be intended for an offering, addressed either to the deities or to an officiant in charge of rites. This interpretation remains hypothetical, but this statuette powerfully illustrates the importance of the animal world and ritual symbolism within the Chupícuaro culture. Sold without base with certificate of authenticity from expert Serge Reynes. Guaranteed origin and period. * Shipping costs on request. * Careful packaging.