An Unexplored Realm in the Heartland of the Southern Gulf ... - Famsi

The two figurine types are common to the Late Classic period (c. AD 550-900).
These vessels follow the white-slipped mold-made figurine tradition at Classic period
Matacapan and Tres Zapotes in their method and technology of production (Christopher
Pool personal communication, 2005), but the origin of their anthropomorphic and
accoutrement details have yet to be determined. The composite silhouette bowl is a
polished orange ware that is assigned to the Late Formative period along the Southern
Gulf.
The two mold-made figurines were found side by side. The flute or whistle
figure’s head was to the west and face down; the spouted vessel figure’s head was to the
north but facing west. These two figurines depict the same individual in two different
positions; one standing or lying in a rigid pose, the other sitting with legs in a semi-flexed
position. In both figures the hair, headpiece, ear ornaments, collar, belt, and loincloth are
alike. The right arm of each is extended next to the body and an oversized right hand is
open with the palm facing the viewer. The left arm of each figure is wrapped around a
spherical, bulging bag-like item that is decorated with U-shapes. An unidentified animal
head or effigy hangs from the spouted vessel figure’s necklace. The flute figure may have
had the same element on its necklace, based on the remnant outline, but it was broken off
in antiquity as were the ankles and feet of the figure. The spouted vessel has four parallel
black bands painted across the shoulders, midsection, knees, and feet. The flute figure
does not have any evidence of paint. The high degree of detail is on the front of these
objects only; the rear is smooth and without elaboration. The flute has a rectangular blow
hole at the top of the figure’s head and an exit hole at the back. The tone or finger hole is
located in the loincloth. Figure 5.42 illustrates a detail of an interior portion of the spout.
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