Figure of a Dancer

Browse the collection

Origin Tlatilco

Title Figure of a Dancer

Date 1200–900 BCE

Medium Clay and pigment

Dimensions Mount: 1/4 × 1 3/4 × 1 1/2 in. (0.6 × 4.4 × 3.8 cm)
Object: 4 3/4 × 1 7/8 × 1 1/4 in. (12.1 × 4.8 × 3.2 cm)
Overall (includes mount): 5 × 1 7/8 × 1 1/4 in. (12.7 × 4.8 × 3.2 cm)

Credit Line Evan F. Lilly Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 70.57

Share this artwork!

About this Work

Large numbers of small, solid clay figures have been found in graves in the Valley of Mexico. Sometimes called “Tlatilco figures” after one of the sites where many were found, most of the figures are female in form, and many include jewelry or other costume elements, leading people to dub them “pretty ladies.” Though once considered primarily grave offerings, scholars now think that the figures likely were used for other purposes, too, such as in fertility and curing rites. This figure was identified as a dancer by anceint Americas scholar Michael Coe, who noted that the costume resembles dried seed pods.

Provenance
More Details

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.

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently on view.

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 of a Dancer | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=70.57