A Colima Seated Shaman Figure, ca. 100 BCE - 250 CE Ceramics Blue-green glazed faience foundation cup

Blue-green glazed faience foundation cup of cylindrical form with a wide spreading foot and everted rim

Davis (1931–2018)

Many such figures were placed in tombs as guardians and those with aggressive postures were protectors against unwanted visitors

it represents the batensoda fish (Synodontus batensoda)- a type of catfish that swims upside down and catches bugs that fall on the surface of the water

each bead decorated with multiple rows of intricate openwork circular decoration

A Colima Seated Shaman Figure, ca. 100 BCE - 250 CE Ceramics Blue-green glazed faience foundation cupCovered in a two toned red brown slip, a seated male shaman figure resting both hands on his splayed legs, his head facing forward with incised almond shaped eyes, a long nose, slashed mouth, and incised ear holes, wearing an incised headband with chin strap, wrapped around a central shamans horn, and incised loincloth. The horn suggests figures such as these may be shaman figures communicating between the living and the dead, although they may also