Ritual performer wearing Buccal Mask
AD 600-750
This figure of a snake charmer wears a buccal (mouth) mask that may represent Ehecatl, a Wind-Fertility god with features of birds and serpents. He holds a serpent in his mouth as he gestures in an expressive manner. The facial features are sensitively modeled, but there is also an overall naturalism to the figure, especially the hands and feet. Exquisite renditions of the headdress and loincloth suggest jade adornments. Some of the original white paint remains on the face.
Ceramic
Height: 27 1/2 in. (69.9 cm)
Gift of Christine and Assen Nicolov, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
2017.33.2
Provenance: [Giselle Charat, Houston, Texas], 1968; sold to Mr. and Mrs. (Dena Marienthal) Louis J. Galen, Los Angeles, California, 1968-76; as part of divorce settlement, Dena Marienthal, Los Angeles, California, 1976-99; [Sotheby's New York, Nov. 22, 1999, lot no. 166]; purchased at auction by Christine and Assen Nicolov, Seattle, Washington, 1999; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2017
Photo: Mark Woods