Provenance Information

Collection of Allan L. Long, New York, by 2000; Acquired by Ancient Art of the New World, New York, from Allan L. Long in 2000; Purchased from Ancient Art of the New World, New York, by Andrall E. and Joanne P. Pearson in September 2002; Collection of Andrall E. and Joanne P. Pearson, New York, 2002 to 2015; accepted as a promised gift from Mr. and Mrs. Pearson to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2004; given by Mr. and Mrs. Pearson to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2015.

Exhibition Information

This object was displayed at the Metropolitan Museum from October 19, 2004 through April 3, 2005 as part of the exhibition Heritage of Power: Ancient Sculpture from West Mexico. The Andrall E. Pearson Family Collection.

Publication Information

Kristi Butterwick, Heritage of Power: Ancient Sculpture from West Mexico. The Andrall E. Pearson Family Collection, New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Yale University Press, 2004: 76-78.

Sarro, Patricia Joan, and James Doyle. "Monumental Imaginings in Mesoamerican Architectural Models." In Design for Eternity: Architectural Models from the Ancient Americas, edited by Joanne Pillsbury. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2015, pp. 30–31, 38–39, figs. 27, 38, 39.

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Gift or bequest expected or on loan prior to 2008

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

The work was accepted as a promised gift to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2004. The work was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum from October 19, 2004 through April 3, 2005. This architecturally complex, ceramic structure features a feast for the dead with many intricate details. This model provides a rare opportunity to see architectural details that have not survived to the present day, such as plastered and painted thatched roofs. More importantly, the model depicts aspects of ritual and community life as ancient Nayarit artists conceived them. As such this work conveys a sense of place and activity in a way that few other objects do, an especially crucial feature for works of art from a region without contemporary texts.

Provenance Information

Robert and Marianne Huber, Huber Primitive Arts (Dixon, Ill.), by 1968 [correspondence in curatorial file]; sold to Lester (died 1992) and Rosalyn Olin (died 2013), Chicago, Ill., by 1968; by bequest to the Art Institute, 2014.

Exhibition Information

None

Publication Information

None

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Informed judgement that works were outside of the country of modern discovery before 1970

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Lester and Rosalyn Olin purchased at least nine objects, including this piece, from Robert + Marianne Huber Fine Arts (Huber Primitive Art). The purchases were made over the course of several years ending in 1968, according to Marianne Huber, the gallery owner. Although Mrs. Huber was unable to locate contemporaneous records of the purchases, she stated in an email to the curator that she recalled selling the objects to Lester Olin before 1967, when she and her family left for an extended trip around the world, and in 1968, after their return in April of that year. The acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is a fine example of a “Chinesco” tomb figure from the mountainous Nayarit, West Mexico, testifying that the deceased has accomplished a coming of age ceremony, and attesting to her role in maintaining spiritual connections with the female earth.

Provenance Information

Robert and Marianne Huber, Huber Primitive Arts (Dixon, Ill.), by 1968 [correspondence in curatorial file]; sold to Lester (died 1992) and Rosalyn Olin (died 2013), Chicago, Ill., by 1968; by bequest to the Art Institute, 2014.

Exhibition Information

None

Publication Information

None

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Informed judgement that works were outside of the country of modern discovery before 1970

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Lester and Rosalyn Olin purchased at least nine objects, including this piece, from Robert + Marianne Huber Fine Arts (Huber Primitive Art). The purchases were made over the course of several years ending in 1968, according to Marianne Huber, the gallery owner. Although Mrs. Huber was unable to locate contemporaneous records of the purchases, she stated in an email to the curator that she recalled selling the objects to Lester Olin before 1967, when she and her family left for an extended trip around the world, and in 1968, after their return in April of that year. The acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it demonstrates a practice in ancient Colima of raising dogs for food; this effigy was intended to accompany the deceased on his otherworld journey to join his ancestors.

Provenance Information

Robert and Marianne Huber, Huber Primitive Arts (Dixon, Ill.), by 1968 [correspondence in curatorial file]; sold to Lester (died 1992) and Rosalyn Olin (died 2013), Chicago, Ill., by 1968; by bequest to the Art Institute, 2014.

Exhibition Information

None

Publication Information

None

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Informed judgement that works were outside of the country of modern discovery before 1970

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Lester and Rosalyn Olin purchased at least nine objects, including this piece, from Robert + Marianne Huber Fine Arts (Huber Primitive Art). The purchases were made over the course of several years ending in 1968, according to Marianne Huber, the gallery owner. Although Mrs. Huber was unable to locate contemporaneous records of the purchases, she stated in an email to the curator that she recalled selling the objects to Lester Olin before 1967, when she and her family left for an extended trip around the world, and in 1968, after their return in April of that year. The acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is a fine example of a tomb figure that commemorates the achievements and status of the deceased in the domain of ancestral spirits. This male figure was accompanied by a similar female figure, undoubtedly his wife. The Art Institute of Chicago collection has such an accompanying figure to complete the pair.

Provenance Information

Robert and Marianne Huber, Huber Primitive Arts (Dixon, Ill.), by 1968 [correspondence in curatorial file]; sold to Lester (died 1992) and Rosalyn Olin (died 2013), Chicago, Ill., by 1968; by bequest to the Art Institute, 2014.

Exhibition Information

None

Publication Information

None

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Informed judgement that works were outside of the country of modern discovery before 1970

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Lester and Rosalyn Olin purchased at least nine objects, including this piece, from Robert + Marianne Huber Fine Arts (Huber Primitive Art). The purchases were made over the course of several years ending in 1968, according to Marianne Huber, the gallery owner. Although Mrs. Huber was unable to locate contemporaneous records of the purchases, she stated in an email to the curator that she recalled selling the objects to Lester Olin before 1967, when she and her family left for an extended trip around the world, and in 1968, after their return in April of that year. The acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is an example of the most ubiquitous tomb figures from Veracruz; such “smiling” figures with outstretched arms in an orant pose testify to the religious obligations of the deceased.

Provenance Information

Robert and Marianne Huber, Huber Primitive Arts (Dixon, Ill.), by 1968 [correspondence in curatorial file]; sold to Lester (died 1992) and Rosalyn Olin (died 2013), Chicago, Ill., by 1968; by bequest to the Art Institute, 2014.

Exhibition Information

None

Publication Information

None

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Informed judgement that works were outside of the country of modern discovery before 1970

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Lester and Rosalyn Olin purchased at least nine objects, including this piece, from Robert + Marianne Huber Fine Arts (Huber Primitive Art). The purchases were made over the course of several years ending in 1968, according to Marianne Huber, the gallery owner. Although Mrs. Huber was unable to locate contemporaneous records of the purchases, she stated in an email to the curator that she recalled selling the objects to Lester Olin before 1967, when she and her family left for an extended trip around the world, and in 1968, after their return in April of that year. The acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it demonstrates that in Veracruz, as elsewhere in ancient Mexico, tomb figures testified as to the rank and status of the deceased. In this case, an accomplished warrior is represented complete with armor and headdress.

Provenance Information

Robert and Marianne Huber, Huber Primitive Arts (Dixon, Ill.), by 1968 [correspondence in curatorial file]; sold to Lester (died 1992) and Rosalyn Olin (died 2013), Chicago, Ill., by 1968; by bequest to the Art Institute, 2014.

Exhibition Information

None

Publication Information

None

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Informed judgement that works were outside of the country of modern discovery before 1970

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Lester and Rosalyn Olin purchased at least nine objects, including this piece, from Robert + Marianne Huber Fine Arts (Huber Primitive Art). The purchases were made over the course of several years ending in 1968, according to Marianne Huber, the gallery owner. Although Mrs. Huber was unable to locate contemporaneous records of the purchases, she stated in an email to the curator that she recalled selling the objects to Lester Olin before 1967, when she and her family left for an extended trip around the world, and in 1968, after their return in April of that year. The acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it demonstrates how tomb figures from West Mexico represent the achievement and status of the deceased. This maternity figure from Ameca, Jalisco affirms her matronly status.

Provenance Information

Robert and Marianne Huber, Huber Primitive Arts (Dixon, Ill.), by 1968 [correspondence in curatorial file]; sold to Lester (died 1992) and Rosalyn Olin (died 2013), Chicago, Ill., by 1968; by bequest to the Art Institute, 2014.

Exhibition Information

None

Publication Information

None

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Informed judgement that works were outside of the country of modern discovery before 1970

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Lester and Rosalyn Olin purchased at least nine objects, including this piece, from Robert + Marianne Huber Fine Arts (Huber Primitive Art). The purchases were made over the course of several years ending in 1968, according to Marianne Huber, the gallery owner. Although Mrs. Huber was unable to locate contemporaneous records of the purchases, she stated in an email to the curator that she recalled selling the objects to Lester Olin before 1967, when she and her family left for an extended trip around the world, and in 1968, after their return in April of that year. The acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it demonstrates that, as elsewhere in the Americas, the Indians of West Mexico heralded selected animals as clan emblems and wore items of attire signifying their affiliation.

Provenance Information

Robert and Marianne Huber, Huber Primitive Arts (Dixon, Ill.), by 1968 [correspondence in curatorial file]; sold to Lester (died 1992) and Rosalyn Olin (died 2013), Chicago, Ill., by 1968; by bequest to the Art Institute, 2014.

Exhibition Information

None

Publication Information

None

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Informed judgement that works were outside of the country of modern discovery before 1970

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Lester and Rosalyn Olin purchased at least nine objects, including this piece, from Robert + Marianne Huber Fine Arts (Huber Primitive Art). The purchases were made over the course of several years ending in 1968, according to Marianne Huber, the gallery owner. Although Mrs. Huber was unable to locate contemporaneous records of the purchases, she stated in an email to the curator that she recalled selling the objects to Lester Olin before 1967, when she and her family left for an extended trip around the world, and in 1968, after their return in April of that year. The acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is an excellent example of a vessel that appears to portray an individual; such figures with deformities depart from the norm, and were regarded as being closer to the supernatural forces and acting as spiritual intermediaries between human society and the deified elements of nature.

Provenance Information

Robert and Marianne Huber, Huber Primitive Arts (Dixon, Ill.), by 1968 [correspondence in curatorial file]; sold to Lester (died 1992) and Rosalyn Olin (died 2013), Chicago, Ill., by 1968; by bequest to the Art Institute, 2014.

Exhibition Information

None

Publication Information

None

Section of the AAMD Guidelines relied upon for the exception to 1970

Informed judgement that works were outside of the country of modern discovery before 1970

Explain why the object fits the exception set forth above

Lester and Rosalyn Olin purchased at least nine objects, including this piece, from Robert + Marianne Huber Fine Arts (Huber Primitive Art). The purchases were made over the course of several years ending in 1968, according to Marianne Huber, the gallery owner. Although Mrs. Huber was unable to locate contemporaneous records of the purchases, she stated in an email to the curator that she recalled selling the objects to Lester Olin before 1967, when she and her family left for an extended trip around the world, and in 1968, after their return in April of that year. The acquisition furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because it is a fine quality example of one of the most elegant types of Colima redwares. This is an iconic piece for the tradition.