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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Female Figure
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Female Figure

Artist/Maker (Panama)
Dateca. 800-1200
Mediumpottery
DimensionsOverall: 4 3/4 x 3 3/8 x 1 1/2 in. (12.1 x 8.6 x 3.8 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Greta Gurr
Terms
    Object number90.0126.74
    DescriptionThis small figure from the Chiriquí province is a well-crafted example of a female form. Although she may appear male at first glance, her subtle anatomy indicates she should be classified female, which reflects the degree to which physical anatomy was used to classify sex in Chiriquí society. Like many other Chiriquí figures, she too appears to have a slight smile. Her ears have been pierced along the lobe, where she may have been adorned with jewelry. The smooth texture and symmetrical form of this figure shows great care on behalf of the artist. Her exaggerated facial features give her a distinctive quality. The care put forth to create such anthropomorphic figures by the Chiriquí indicates a high level of meaning and most likely shamanistic significance. Although the medium of art has changed over time, traditional shamanistic figures are still crafted in Panamá today by the Guna using woodcarving techniques.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Rycroft Painter and Shop
    ca. 525-510 BCE
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    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 1-700
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 800-1200
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bassa people
    20th century
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    Leagros Group
    ca. 575-500 BCE
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    Colima
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 850-1000
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Colima
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 1950
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 600-900