Antonio Escabedo (Jalisco) Mexico; Proto-classic 100-300 A.D. standing female. Solid modeled; one hand to head and other hand partly raised; huge ears and plugs; turban; red slipped with traces of white paint on legs, arms, turban and eyes. Where red slip has eroded, or peeled, the figure is black. Possible reduction firing; terracotta. Stone necklace was on the figure when I received it. Great condition. From the Virginia Lee Collection, noted Arceo-Conchologist. Purchased in the late 1960's from the Kennard Hartwell Galleries. Have receipt.
h. 11 3/8" d. 5 1/2"
Hello,
This item is a Jalisco Standing Female Figure, attributed to Antonio Escobedo from Jalisco, Mexico. It dates from the Proto-classic period (100-300 A.D.) and is crafted from terracotta. The figure measures 11 3/8 inches in height and 5 1/2 inches in depth.
The figure displays a distinctive red slip with traces of white paint on the legs, arms, turban, and eyes. Areas where the red slip has eroded reveal a black surface underneath. The figure appears to have undergone possible reduction firing, a technique where terracotta is fired in a reduced oxygen environment to achieve darker hues.
The figure’s posture, with one hand raised to the head and the other slightly elevated, along with its pronounced ears and the turban, speaks to the traditional stylization of Jalisco figures from this era. These figures were often placed in burial contexts, and they likely held significant cultural meaning related to ancestor veneration or religious practices.
The provenance adds to its value as it comes from the Virginia Lee Collection, with a receipt from its purchase in the late 1960s from the Kennard Hartwell Galleries.