JALISCO, western Mexico, 100 B.C. to 250 A.D. - Lot 112

JALISCO, western Mexico, 100 B.C. to 250 A.D. Seated female shaman, arms raised and hands pointing to the earth as a sign of blessing. Her face shows a gentle, concentrated and benevolent expression. Her skull, ritually deformed, is covered with a veil held in place by a hoop decorated with pastillage. Beige and coffee-red terra cotta Small chip on top of veil and tip of nose, marks of time Dimensions: H 44.5 cm - W 27.7 cm - D 18 cm Provenance : Former French collection, 1967. Galerie Mermoz, Paris, 2001. Passport de libre circulation pour bien culturel, French Ministry of Culture, dated 12/11/2003, no. 056808. The Jalisco culture, located in western Mexico, is renowned for its terracotta sculptures, often associated with ritual practices. These figures, characterized by their expressiveness and stylized forms, reflect the spiritual and social life of this people. Cranial deformation, common in this region, symbolized high status or magical affiliation, reinforcing the link with the sacred. Shamanism played a central role in Jalisco culture. Shamans, considered mediators between the earthly world and divine forces, played a crucial role in healing, agricultural blessings and rites of passage. This female shaman, in the midst of an invocation or blessing, illustrates the importance of magico-religious practices in Jalisco society, where women could also occupy roles as influential and powerful spiritual guides. Expert: Serge REYNES