Standing Figure
The Bahía people occupied the coast of Manabí Province, where they continued the ceramic tradition of depicting human figures that had started 2,000 years earlier in the region. Their figures vary from hand-modeled to heavy mold-made examples and others that have mold-made faces and hand-modeled bodies. Some have colored and/or applied clothing and ornaments. Associated with the site of Los Esteros in central Manabí, this figure is highly stylized with a flat, sexless body and flipperlike arms. Its angular face has large, applied coffeebean eyes and a very prominent aquiline nose with a heavy nose ring.
The meaning of such figures is unknown. One Los Esteros cache contained broken Bahía-style figurines apparently deliberately smashed. Clearly a votive offering of some sort, its intended purpose is conjectural.
The meaning of such figures is unknown. One Los Esteros cache contained broken Bahía-style figurines apparently deliberately smashed. Clearly a votive offering of some sort, its intended purpose is conjectural.
Artwork Details
- Title: Standing Figure
- Date: 5th–1st century BCE
- Geography: Ecuador
- Culture: Esteros or Bahía
- Medium: Ceramic
- Dimensions: H. 4 1/2 × W. 1 3/4 in. (11.4 × 4.5 cm)
- Classification: Ceramics-Sculpture
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1995
- Object Number: 1995.24.3
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
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Cupisnique artist(s)
1000–800 BCE
Paracas artist(s)
350–200 BCE
Esteros
5th–1st century BCE
Chorrera
10th–3rd century BCE
Esteros
5th–1st century BCE
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