Nayarit Pottery Seated Nude Figure Rattle with Layered Earrings

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit. A hollow pottery figure of a seated nude, modeled as a rattle that gives a soft, dry rattle when shaken. The sitter draws the knees up into two tapering cones. The long arms are folded across them, and the head tips forward so the chin rests on the forearms, in a posture of patient, inward attention. The face is broad and simply made, with punched slit eyes, a small rectangular mouth, and a prominent nose. Above it rises a high, rounded forehead framed by a coiffure or headdress with two vertical raised ridges, each crossed by incisions. Layered earrings hang at the sides of the head. A warm, burnished orange-brown slip covers the body and paler buff tones show at the crown. The rattle, probably made by loose clay pellets sealed inside, turns a quiet figure into one that makes sound, perhaps for use in ritual or burial. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. Item # 205793

Estimate:$300

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