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Public Domain

Nayarit

Seated miniature ballplayer

Nayarit, 300 BCE-CE 200

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Nayarit

Seated miniature ballplayer

Nayarit, 300 BCE-CE 200

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.

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Seated Chief Figure
300 BCE-400 CE
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House Model
4th century BCE-3rd century CE