ANTIQUE 150 YEAR OLD RITUAL FIGURE EFFIGY PAGAN FETISH

The Yucatán Peninsula was developed for tourism in the 1960s.  Prior to that, it was isolated and underdeveloped, largely dedicated to sisal farms.  The people lived in opened thatched huts, and while Christian, retained many of their Mayan ways and beliefs.  The religion was a blend and incorporated many primitive elements including destruction of an enemy by effigy.  Pottery models of the enemy were constructed then destroyed by ritual stoning.  This is such an effigy and it is well over 100 years old.  It was found buried by the natives who said that these occasionally were lost in the mud in the stoning process and turn up in farmers fields, sometimes whole.  This one had been in the owner's family for generations.  It is a standing human wearing a peasant farmers hat.  His hands are drawn to his stomach, indicating that he had been cursed with an affliction.  It was made under very primitive conditions, but has traces the pigment detail, including red lips in effort to make it accurately portray the intended victim.  It is 6 1/8" high, and in condition as shown.  ZZ42.