Ecuador, 500 BC - 500 AD, Jama-Coaque culture, Shaman with offerings, Ochre ceramic

Shaman with offerings

Ecuador
Jama-Coaque culture 500 BC - 500 AD


°°° Price can be reasonably negotiated °°°

The subject is shown seated, his legs short but powerful, his arms folded, pressed against his body, his hands presenting offerings. A long loincloth covers the shaman almost entirely, the fabric receiving circular motifs materialized by the pastillage technique. The face features wide-open eyes framing an eagle-beak nose, the latter adorned with a large ball-shaped nariguera (nose ornament), and a chin pierced by a large triangular labret (tembleta). The figure's ears are adorned with large circular tambas (ear pendants), and the neck is adorned with a curved pectoral necklace.
The headdress is characterized by a double row of truncated cone-shaped elements reminiscent of feathers, covered by a headdress that falls to the shoulders and is covered with circular motifs like a loincloth, the top of the headdress featuring a shuttle-shaped element. The back of the skull is pierced by an evacuation hole.

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.

Ochre ceramic, traces of manganese oxide
23 x 13 cm
Restorations, minor accidents
Sale G. Loudmer, Paris, Drouot 1986

Contact us: culturesetcivilisations@orange.fr

Ref: 4GMA4ZIIRD