Jalisco. Seated Couple, ca. 100 B.C.E.–300 C.E. Ceramic, 17 1/2 x 15 1/4 x 10 in. (44.5 x 38.7 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Coltrera Collection, 2010.23.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.23.1_PS6.jpg)
Jalisco. Seated Couple, ca. 100 B.C.E.–300 C.E. Ceramic, 17 1/2 x 15 1/4 x 10 in. (44.5 x 38.7 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Coltrera Collection, 2010.23.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 2010.23.1_in_situ.jpg)
Seated Couple
Arts of the Americas
This sculpture of a seated couple may depict a marriage ceremony. The woman holds a bowl containing an unknown beverage for her companion, who brings a drinking tube to his mouth. The intimate nature of their relationship is suggested by their touching legs and the man’s arm gently draped over his partner’s shoulder.
CULTURE
Jalisco
MEDIUM
Ceramic
DATES
ca. 100 B.C.E.–300 C.E.
DIMENSIONS
17 1/2 x 15 1/4 x 10 in. (44.5 x 38.7 x 25.4 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER
2010.23.1
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Coltrera Collection
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Seated man and woman joined at the legs and facing each other. The woman holds a bowl for her companion, who brings a drinking tube to his mouth. One of the man's arms is gently draped over the woman's shoulder. This sculpture is in the Ameca-Etzatlán style which is characterized by elongated heads; large, carved eyes; straight, naturalistic noses; and open mouths displaying incised teeth. The elongated heads are consistent with cranial deformation - the flattening of the infant's cranium - which was probably a sign of prestige. Both figures wear almost identical hair styles or headdresses with a headband decorated with appliqué dots. Additional adornments include earspools, leg bands (on the man), a skirt (on the woman), and appliqué dots on the shoulders possibly representing decorative scarification.
Condition: good; some surface abrasions and chips.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Jalisco. Seated Couple, ca. 100 B.C.E.–300 C.E. Ceramic, 17 1/2 x 15 1/4 x 10 in. (44.5 x 38.7 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Coltrera Collection, 2010.23.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.23.1_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 2010.23.1_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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