Figurine of a Warrior with Square Sheild and Weapon c. 200

This terracotta figurine of a warrior, complete with square shield and weapon, was created by a Colima artist. The figure’s warm, earthy tone comes from the Colima region’s rich clay. The sculpture has a soft, tactile quality, achieved through the pinching and modeling of the clay. The artist has rendered the figure with a sharp eye for detail, but also with expressive simplification. Note the way the warrior's stance is captured with just a few gestures. Such figures were typically made using a mold for the body, with hand-applied details. Often, the hollow figures have a small pebble inside, so they could also function as rattles. The artist's expert command over this ancient, elemental material allows the figurine to communicate a sense of vitality and strength. Looking at this warrior, we are reminded that even the simplest of materials, when skillfully worked, can carry profound cultural meaning. This work blurs any distinction between the categories of art and craft.