Figure
| Culture | Veracruz |
|---|---|
| Title | Figure |
| Date | 650–900 |
| Medium | Clay with traces of pigment |
| Dimensions | Object: 14 × 10 1/2 × 5 in. (35.6 × 26.7 × 12.7 cm) Overall: 14 × 10 1/2 × 5 in. (35.6 × 26.7 × 12.7 cm) |
| Credit Line | Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 64.60 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
A standing figure with earrings, a necklace, headdress, apron, and cloth across the chest. Both of the figure's hands are up in the air, though the figure's left hand has broken off and been repaired and the right arm seems to have been repaired at the elbow.
At Remojadas, in central Veracruz, tens of thousands of hollow clay figures were created depicting men, women, boys, girls, ball players, deities, and warriors.
Known as a “Smiling Figure” because of its characteristic toothy grin, figures such as this are thought to have been associated with the god of dance, music, and joy or with the cult of pulque, an intoxicating drink. Such figures depict a state of joy and exuberance. It has also been suggested that these “smiling figures” represent a sacrificial victim or someone taking part in a ritual.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
Request this image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request.
This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.
Cite this page
"Figure | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=64.60