Female Figure c. 400

This terracotta female figure was hand-built by an artist from Tlatilco, in what is now Central Mexico. The Tlatilco people were skilled ceramicists, and their figures reflect a deep understanding of the material's potential. Clay is so readily available, but achieving a refined result like this requires a lot of effort. The artist carefully shaped and smoothed the clay, adding details like the figure’s elaborate headdress. The surface has a slightly rough texture, a reminder of the artist's touch, as this piece was made without the aid of a potter's wheel. After it dried, the figure would have been fired in an open kiln, a process requiring great skill to avoid cracking or other damage. It's a testament to the artist’s skill that this figure has survived for so long. This small sculpture tells us so much about the Tlatilco people, their beliefs, and their artistic abilities, and how those were interwoven.