Description
Small, solid, hand-modeled figurines were a staple of the early Mesoamerican artistic repertoire. Made in distinctive styles corresponding to geographic regions, they likely were used in a variety of contexts, including rites to assure health, fertility, and prosperity. This example is from the Chupícuaro region, north of modern-day Mexico City.
Provenance
(Antique shop in Los Angeles, sold to James C. and Florence C. Gruenef) (?-1961); James C. [1903-1990] and Florence C. [1908-1982] Gruener, Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (1961-1990); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1990-)
Accession Number
1990.142
Medium
earthenware with pigment
Dimensions
Overall: 7.5 x 3.5 x 1.2 cm (2 15/16 x 1 3/8 x 1/2 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener
