House Model
Culture
Nayarit
Date200 BCE–500 CE
Mediumceramic
Dimensions25.5 × 17 × 16 cm (10 1/16 × 6 11/16 × 6 5/16 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Aldus C. Higgins
Terms
Object number1947.21
DescriptionterracottaLabel TextNayarit models offer information about ancient architecture in West Mexico. Based on these ceramics, we can see that buildings from this era had high thatched roofs and were decorated with geometric patterns. It is possible that this model depicts a scene of mourning. Scholars have hypothesized that the ground floors of Nayarit houses were used for burials, and this scene specifically lacks some of the effervescence, activities, and pets that enliven other Nayarit models. The person holding the child may thus be grieving, while a feast is held to honor the dead.ProvenancePurchased by Mr. Higgins from the Stendahl Galeries, CA
On View
Not on view
