Nayarit
Seated miniature ballplayer
Nayarit, 1500-1518
Scroll
Nayarit
Seated miniature ballplayer
Nayarit, 1500-1518
Physical Qualities
Earthenware, 1 1/2 × 1 1/16 × 9/16 in. (3.8 × 2.7 × 1.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Bernice Barth, Los Angeles
Object Number
2000.280
The ballgame was played according to locally defined rules. The Maya and Aztec restricted use of the hands while West Mexican players are shown grasping the ball in their hands or cupped under their arm. Ball player figures were sculpted in solid and hollow form by Nayarit, Colima, and Jalisco ceramicists. Some are nearly life size. This figure is one of the tiniest ball players known.
