Chinesco Seated Female Figure

A broad, cheerful face on a figure sitting with its legs flung wide.

This seated female figure is Chinesco, from Nayarit, West Mexico, and dates to 200 BCE to 200 CE. It is painted pottery. Chinesco figures from Nayarit are generally known for their simple, rounded forms, and many were made for burial in shaft tombs of West Mexico. This one has a large, flat topped head with small pierced eyes and a lumpy nose. The arms are short stubs, and the heavy legs spread out to the sides, painted red over buff clay. The surface is speckled and worn. It is 4 inches wide and high and 2.5 deep.

A very good sitter, and at ease with it.