Featured ANY INFO ON MEXICAN RED CLAY STATUE/SCULPTURE?

Found this thrift store hunting today. I thought it was a tourist piece at first , but the subject is a bummer with the figure holding a dead animal (my first thought 'eskimo with a baby seal kill!'), + it also has a unusual mark/signature?
There is a hole in his other hand; probably where he had the spear or weapon he killed the animal with?
What is this figure of & what does the inscription mean?? (Representative authority Mexico?) And what is the animal?? Doesn't it look like a seal - it even has fins?? Except I don't think there are any seals in the wilds of Mexico!

 

I believe your fellow is a modern interpretation of the pre columbian styles of Colima or Nayarit, both located on Mexico's west coast where there are plenty of sea lions.

 

A replica of something makes sense. What the "something" is, I don't know.

 

And it is.

Or a live animal.

 

i believe what the markings may stand for is something like this, Reproduced by the Authority of the National Institute of Anthropology and History, Mexico. I found a number of similar pieces being sold at auction. That is what I put together from the information that was in the auction descriptions.

 

That's a very interesting idea. Let me go check that out... Yes. It stands for "Reproducción autorizada por el Instituto Nacional de Antropología o Historia." Apparently, the Institute authorizes and produces its own reproductions. Here's the page from its web site that provides a catalog of those available.

https://reproducciones.inah.gob.mx/...=&publicacion_periodo=&publicacion_ubicacion=

Took a quick glance but couldn't find yours. Either my eye too hasty or no longer reproduced. In general, INAH reproductions don't seem to sell for very much but an authorized reproduction is worth more than one that's not.

Debora

 

Yes it is - thank you all!!

 

Did you find it? What culture?

Debora

 

Back in 2007 I sold an INAH reproduction Mayan cermonial mask that was very nicely made.

This is what I wrote in my listing about INAH after researching it... "INAH is a Mexican governmental agency established in 1939. It's purpose is to ensure the research, preservation, protection, and promotion of the prehistoric, archaeological, anthropological, historical, and paleontological heritage of Mexico."

 

Debora haven't got to it yet - sold some paintings and been trying to move more of them but I'm going to use Pat P's description in listing if it's ok?

 

If it's okay with Pat, it's okay with me! Might be helpful for your listing to confirm culture. But can't help you there.

Debora

 

Sure!

This is the mask I sold...

 

Found this on ebay (sale ended) - clearly related:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Colima-May...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

Sure has to be - thanks! Going to look as soon as I post a cool but weird map I found to see if anyone knows anything about it - google translate only did parts (bit did say the language was Hungarian) Below sneak peek!

 

Not Hungarian. Dutch. The map is of the south coast of England. Think you'll find a reproduction.

Debora

 

Any idea for the listing title since I don't know where he's from?
Should I put Colima(?) / Mayan like similar one was listed as?
Any help would be appreciated guys

 

It would probably be safe to say it is a reproduction of a Mexican West Coast style.

 

Do avoid Colima/Maya as completely separate -- both culturally and geographically -- pre-Colombian indigenous cultures in what is now called México.

Debora

 

thanks again Debora!

 

Hello! Has anyone determined definitively what culture this guy comes from? I picked up his twin at an estate sale (she was a retired antique dealer!), and I can only find this thread for him.