Seated Nayarit Female Figure

The large heart-shaped heads of the Chinesco style are unique to ceramic objects of Meso-America. They probably reflect actual cranial deformation done for purposes of beautification. Also typical of Nayarit style was the careful attention given to the hair, in this case with additional treatment in a grayish color In contrast with the earth-red color of the rest of the body, from the forehead all the way down to the bottom of the back of the neck. The figure is ornately “bejeweled” with numerous earrings and nose-rings as well as cream colored paint around the eyes, neck, arms, breasts, waist and legs. Her body is also sensually decorated with black ritual body paint or tattoos which draws particular attention to her subtly swollen nether region. Despite the ample decoration, the burnished dark red body is obviously naked, and most seductive. She gently embraces herself around the waist accentuating her feminine qualities to the onlooker as if presenting her herself shyly and modestly to a beloved husband for marital union. Her posture is not quite standing but not seated again bringing attention to her womanly virtues as well as her rounded buttocks and fertile belly and further seducing the onlooker as if the union were imminent. These figures were made as guardians to accompany their dead to the next world. The journey for the traveler accompanied by this beautiful goddess must have been exquisite.