Bench figure
From the third millennium BCE onward, Ecuadoran people had a figurine tradition that would last until the Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century. The figurines of the best-known regional styles of the first millennium CE—Tolita/Tumaco, Jama Coaque, Bahiá, and Guangala–share similarities based on the earlier and more widely distributed Chorrera style. Various degrees of realism and sculptural modeling appear in the figurines, which have an average height of about seven to twelve inches. Some Tolita/Tumaco examples, however, can be as tall as three feet.
A nude, heavily built male figure sits on a bench in frontal, perfectly symmetrical pose, with hands on knees and head held upright. His expressionless face gazes straight forward and simple gold rings are in the nose and ears. Red pigment remains on much of the figure's surface. The bench, made separately, is indicative of the figure's rank and authority. Such figures may have been dressed for special occasions.
A nude, heavily built male figure sits on a bench in frontal, perfectly symmetrical pose, with hands on knees and head held upright. His expressionless face gazes straight forward and simple gold rings are in the nose and ears. Red pigment remains on much of the figure's surface. The bench, made separately, is indicative of the figure's rank and authority. Such figures may have been dressed for special occasions.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bench figure
- Artist: Tolita-Tumaco artist(s)
- Date: 500 BCE–300 CE
- Geography: Colombia or Ecuador
- Culture: Tolita-Tumaco
- Medium: Ceramic, gold, post-fire paint
- Dimensions: H. 9 × W. 5 × D. 4 1/2 in. (22.9 × 12.7 × 11.4 cm)
- Classification: Ceramics-Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Timothy, Peter, and Jonathan Zorach, 1991
- Object Number: 1991.436.7a, b
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Tolita-Tumaco artist(s)
500 BCE–300 CE
Tolita-Tumaco artist(s)
500 BCE–300 CE
Tolita-Tumaco artist(s)
200 BCE–300 CE
Tolita-Tumaco artist(s)
500 BCE–300 CE
Tolita-Tumaco artist(s)
500 BCE–300 CE
Related Content
Timeline of Art History
Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.