Mexico, Zapotec Culture, 250 - 500 Ad, Anthropomorphic Terracotta Container

Origin: Mexico
Culture: Zapotec, Monte Albán III a
Antiquity: 250 - 500 AD
Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.2 cm
Material: Terracotta
Condition: Small gaps with headband and necklace
Provenance: Former collection of an amateur

Small anthropomorphic vase depicting a dignitary or a shaman. He is represented seated, legs crossed, the body entirely covered with a large coat leaving only the feet visible. The very expressive face is characterized by fine eyebrow arches surmounting two large almond eyes wide open. The eagle's beak nose overhangs a large open mouth with fleshy lips suggesting the dentition. The stylized ears in the shape of a rectangle have incisions just like the wide hairstyle falling abundantly on each side of the shoulders as well as in the middle of the back. The character is adorned with a large braided band at the forehead as well as a necklace with a row of pearls, both applied by the pastillage technique.

Monte Albán was the main center of Zapotec culture which flourished from 500 BC to around 1000 AD. It is located in central Mexico at the top of a mountain overlooking the Oaxaca valley. One of the characteristics of this civilization was its funerary architecture. The tombs of cut stones could reach disproportionate dimensions, worthy of a palace and were adorned with resplendent paintings. The deceased were buried there with numerous funerary ceramic objects. The apogee of this civilization is between 200 and 700 AD (Monte Albán III ab), also called Recent Classic, the site of Monte Albán then reaching its maximum development.