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Peru, probably Nazca Culture Excepting examples from Chancay, wooden objects in other Pre-Columbian cultures are rare and barely studied. Every aspect of this figure is exceptional. The painted face is the most startling and mysterious. There has been considerable erosion, and it’s not known whether this occurred mostly above or below ground. In addition there’s nary a clue as to function. As it exists, the figure is seated with short legs, knees bent and no feet. The projection at the base extending and ending at the chest seems unlikely to be a penis. The longer arms are bent with hands raised and fists pressed against the chest. It’s possible that the facial expression is either rage or despair and that the male figure is beating his chest. Remains of a mustache and white paint, possibly for teeth, are accounted for. A big puzzle, however, remains: what if anything rested in the small, slightly concave space between the nose and mouth? Enough remains to show skillful carving, as evidenced in the a number of graceful correspondences. |
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