Grouping of Dancers and Musicians
- Artist Culture
- Colima
- Period
- Late Formative period, c.300 BC–AD 300
- Date
- c.300 BC–AD 300
- Material
- Ceramic
- Classification
- Ceramics, sculpture
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 114
- Dimensions
- 5 3/4 x 11 5/8 in. (14.6 x 29.5 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Morton D. May
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 306:1978
NOTES
The elongated arms of 18 alternating men and women lock together to form a dance circle around four musicians holding drums and rattles. The female figures wear wrap skirts and simple banded headdresses, while the males’ attire consists of waistbands, ear ornaments, and elaborate headdresses. Detailed models such as this one provide unique insight into the costume and ritual performances of ancient West Mexico. Music and dance were central to the region’s festivals held to honor and praise ancestors, appease natural forces, and celebrate victories, marriages, and other significant events.
Provenance
James Bodishbaugh, Berkeley, CA, USA
- 1969
Pogzeba Art Studios, Denver, CO, purchased from James Bodishbaugh [1]
1969 - 1978
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Pogzeba Art Studios [2]
1978 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [3]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated September 4, 1969 from Pogzeba Art Studios to Morton D. May documents the purchase of this object, listed as "One original Pre-Columbian Colima circle figure group consisting of 22 figures 11 3/4 inch diameter. The figure group was purchased from James Bodisbaugh [sic, Bodishbaugh], a Berkeley California and Mexico (West) dealer" [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[2] See Note [1].
[3] A letter dated September 29, 1978 from Morton D. May to James N. Wood, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, December 13, 1978.
- 1969
Pogzeba Art Studios, Denver, CO, purchased from James Bodishbaugh [1]
1969 - 1978
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Pogzeba Art Studios [2]
1978 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [3]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated September 4, 1969 from Pogzeba Art Studios to Morton D. May documents the purchase of this object, listed as "One original Pre-Columbian Colima circle figure group consisting of 22 figures 11 3/4 inch diameter. The figure group was purchased from James Bodisbaugh [sic, Bodishbaugh], a Berkeley California and Mexico (West) dealer" [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[2] See Note [1].
[3] A letter dated September 29, 1978 from Morton D. May to James N. Wood, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, December 13, 1978.