Pre-Columbian fragment of the Jama Coaque culture. Ecuador, 500 B.C. - 500 A.D.

Pre-Columbian fragment of the Jama Coaque culture. Ecuador, 500 BC - 500 AD Terracotta sculpture. Wooden base. Methacrylate display case. Provenance: Spanish private collection J.J.D, who bought this collection from the Galeria Wilson Hallo in Ecuador, before 1970. With methacrylate urn belonging to an old collection from the 1980s. Measurements: 4 x 8 x 3 cm (figure); 41.5 x 18 x 18 cm (box). The Jama-Coaque culture developed in the area of San Isidro and in the north of the province of Manabí, Ecuador. In direct commercial relationship with other cultures of Central America and Mexico, its cultural and religious core was in the ceremonial centre of San Isidro, where one or more temples were built on top of a large pyramid, surrounded by an extensive settlement. The Jama-Coaque had in pottery their main artistic manifestation, developing a very ornamented and markedly figurative style which shows a strong Chorrera heritage. Their pottery is recognised as a visual document that clearly reflects life in Jama-Coaque. Their human and zoomorphic forms and mixtures of human and animal forms, along with the details of costume and ornamental expressions, reveal aspects of the cult and daily life of the Jama-Coaque culture. Many of these figures wear very colourful attire, constituting an aboriginal fashion that stands out for its large headdresses, tunics that cover legs and arms, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, as well as a very elaborate feather art. They also worked gold and other metals with a very delicate and artistic technique, an example of which can be seen in their earrings, necklaces and pectorals.