Tlatilco Terracotta Miniature Figure

Pre-Columbian era, Pre-Classic Period, c. 1200–900 BC, Tlatilco, Valley of Mexico

An exceptional hand-modeled terracotta figurine from the ancient site of Tlatilco, this miniature sculpture is rendered in a warm reddish-buff clay, with elongated proportions and expressive stylization. The figure is standing erect, arms resting upon its lap and legs splayed in a relaxed yet deliberate pose. The stylized head features incised ovoid eyes, a pronounced crested nose, and large circular earspools, while a striking multi-lobed headdress crowns the figure, hinting at ritual or ceremonial significance.

Tlatilco figurines are among the earliest and most iconic sculptural forms of Mesoamerican art. Flourishing during the Early Formative period—some 2,000 years before the rise of the Aztec Empire—the people of Tlatilco inhabited the western Valley of Mexico and left behind a rich archaeological legacy. Best known for their burial goods, they produced a remarkable array of ceramic vessels and figurines, often placed within graves to accompany the dead.

Each figure was sculpted entirely by hand, using pinching and shaping techniques rather than molds. Despite their small size—typically under 15 cm—these figures exhibit striking individuality, with lively postures, exaggerated features, and elaborate coiffures. Notably, this piece follows the Tlatilco convention of minimal attention to hands and feet, drawing focus instead to the head and hairstyle, which were clearly of cultural significance.The emphasis on hair, adornment, and stylized features speaks to a sophisticated aesthetic tradition already thriving in this early period. Such figurines are believed to reflect complex beliefs surrounding fertility, gender, and the afterlife, offering a fascinating glimpse into the worldview of a society that thrived over three millennia ago.

Discovered in the early 20th century by clay miners, the site of Tlatilco—meaning “the place of hidden things” in Nahuatl—has yielded thousands of burial offerings, revealing a deeply ritualistic and artistically vibrant culture. Today, Tlatilco figures remain among the most recognizable symbols of early Mesoamerican art, prized by collectors and scholars alike.

An extraordinary and evocative piece of ancient sculpture, perfect for connoisseurs of Pre-Columbian art, early Mesoamerican cultures, or the origins of ceramic figuration.

Good condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, nicks and chip, with fading to some finer features, and light encrustations within recessed areas. Inventory markings. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Size approx. 3,4cm x 2,2cm x 1,8cm.

Provenance: Ex-Dr. Allen Heflin collection. Found in the 1950’s at site of Cuautitlán, Mexico. Dr. Heflin, an American archaeologist who worked in Mexico between the 1940’s and 1960’s, amassed a vast collection of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican artifacts and published several articles in Mexican anthropological journals.

For a similar examples see:

Miniature figurine, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Accession Number: 75.80.27 (https://collections.artsmia.org/art/45923/miniature-figurine-tlatilco)

Miniature figurine, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Accession Number: 75.80.38 (https://collections.artsmia.org/art/45934/miniature-figurine-tlatilco)

References and further reading:

Examining Tlatilco Figurines, Unframed, Fernanda Hernandez, CSUDH-LACMA Anthropology Intern, Art of the Ancient Americas, November 2, 2020 (https://unframed.lacma.org/2020/11/02/examining-tlatilco-figurines)

Tlatilco Figurines (Article), Rex Koontz, Khan Academy. Khan Academy, n.d (https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-americas/early-cultures/tlatilco/a/tlatilco-figurines)