Ecuador, 500 BC - 500 AD, Jama-Coaque culture, Representation of a dignitary, Ceramic

Representation of a dignitary in polychrome ceramics

Ecuador
Jama-Coaque culture, 500 BC - 500 AD

The figure is shown standing, arms pressed against the body, hands clasped under the chin. The polychrome limbs are hypertrophied, as is the skull, which features a significant ritual deformation and an inverted red "T" motif, while the wrists are adorned with bracelets materialized by fine incisions. The face is characterized by coffee-bean eyes, a broad, blunt nose above a small quadrangular mouth, the top of the skull and temples outlined by a fine border, and ears adorned with circular pendants (tambas).
An inventory number appears on the back of the subject.

The Jama-Coaque culture developed on the central coast of Ecuador, south of La Tolita. Like the Bahía and La Tolita cultures, it is the product of the original development of the Chorrera culture (1000 BC). Particularly renowned for its elegant ceramic figurines with stereotyped features, these are distinguished by the variety and richness of their ornamentation. Close to the Tumaco-Tolita culture, it nevertheless differs in its approach to ceramics through a combination of incised relief. Similarly, a significant proportion of the ceramics produced are ceremonial in nature, often depicting high-ranking figures.

Representations of our type are, as far as we know, uncommon. The figures of dignitaries are often hieratic, even austere. The position of the hands under the chin on our piece makes it almost familiar.

Polychrome ceramic
11 x 06 cm excluding base
Surface wear and small accident
Former collection of Madame N.

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