Miniature figurine c. 1500

This miniature figurine was created by the Tlatilco people out of clay, sometime in the distant past. The soft, yielding character of the material lends itself well to the rounded forms of the figure. The process of pinching and modeling this clay would have been a direct, intimate interaction. You can imagine the maker’s hands carefully shaping the body and face, refining the details with simple tools, or perhaps just their own fingernails. We can only guess its significance, but this act of creation suggests a close connection between the maker and their world. Once formed, the clay would have been fired in a kiln. This process of transformation is essential to the object's survival, giving the figure its permanence and strength. The unassuming nature of this clay belies its importance. It is through the process of making that its cultural significance is truly revealed, blurring the lines between craft and art.