Expressive example of a warrior or priest with fine details, almond eyes, naturalistic
nose and cheeks with coca. Ornate ear spool remains. The Tumaco culture of Colombia
developed in conjunction with the neighboring La Tolita culture in Ecuador, and the
artifacts of both cultures are oftentimes so similar that distinctions are impossible.
Both societies revolved around an economy based on fishing, maize growth, and gold,
the latter of which was readily found in the rivers in Pre-Columbian times. Much
like Moche art, La Tolita / Tumaco artistry focused on representations of people
in a realistic fashion, showing them in a wide variety of conditions and contexts.
Esmeraldas region, Ecuador. Fragmentary Large piece.
Measures 6" plus mount.
Similar example are seen in "Tumaco 1000 ans D'art Precolombien"