Product Details

Pre-Columbian Bahia Mother and Child Figure – Published Example Ecuador, Los Esteros Bahia Phase, 500 BC – 100 AD A rare and well-documented ceramic figure depicting a stylized mother holding a child, a classic theme of maternity and protection in early Ecuadorian art. The figure shows the distinctive Bahia style with exaggerated facial features, including large protruding eyes, a prominent nose, and a compact, abstracted body. The child is securely cradled in the arms, giving the piece a strong emotional presence despite its small size. This example is published and illustrated in Maternity in Pre-Columbian Art by Florencio García Cisneros (page 82). It is also comparable to examples illustrated in Little People of the Earth, which identifies similar figures from the Los Esteros Bahia phase. Size: Approximately 2 3/4 inches Surface: Light buff tone with mineral deposits and age-related patina Condition: Fair, with loss to the lower portion (leg), as noted in early documentation. Displays well with intact upper composition. Provenance: Ex Frances L. Wolfson Collection Acquired from José E. Alegría, San Juan, Puerto Rico, January 14, 1976 Accompanied by a 1990 appraisal valuing the figure at $1,500