Standing Female Figure (work of art)
Artwork Info
About
Sculptures such as these were created as tomb offerings and may have represented the deceased’s relatives or ancestors. The people of Nayarit dug deep shaft tombs to house the dead. Multiple skeletons found in the large chambers of shaft tombs suggest that each tomb may have been a family crypt. Here a female figure holds a small bowl, possibly for a food offering. Note the woven designs on the edge of the woman’s wrap skirt. The artist reproduced weaving patterns by modeling the clay rather than by painting it, which is more common.
tags: family, ritual, anthropology, function, women
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Levin