Artist

Maker Unknown

Nationality

Tlatilco

Preview

image preview

Date of Work

12th-9th century. BCE

Medium

Ceramic

Identification #

92-065

Height

6 1/4

Width

3 1/8

Collection/Provenance

Chester Fritz Library

Status

Stored: S01 (Box 4)

Location

UND Art Collections Repository

Additional Information

This female figure originates from the Valley of Mexico and is part of a collection of ceramic figures from the Tlatilco people known as 'pretty ladies.' The hallmark features of these figures include large heads, small waists, and exaggerated hips. They were rediscovered in the early 20th century when the land where the Tlatilco people used to reside was being used to produce bricks. As the workers were utilizing the clay, they discovered many ceramic figurines, including the 'pretty ladies.' In the 1940s, the land was excavated and studied by the world-renowned art historian and archaeologist, Miguel Covarrubias. During this decade, it became clear that the Tlatilco people had a rich artistic culture that played a significant part in the intersocietal exchange that defined this region of Mexico for the next several centuries.

Condition

Good

Condition Notes

Left leg was broken and reattached with glue below the knee

Rights

Images are provided for educational purposes only and may not be reproduced for commercial use. Images may be protected by artist copyright. A credit line is required to be used for any public non-commercial educational purpose. The credit line must include, “Image courtesy of the University of North Dakota.”

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