Colima Pottery Hunchback Cargador Vessel

West Mexico, Ca. 200 BC to 300 AD.    This vessel depicts a male laborer in a dynamic, forward-leaning pose, the distinctive tump line slung across his forehead as he bears a uniquely compressed bundle sack on his back. The figure’s powerful stance and exaggerated hunchback form are not only a testament to the physical demands of ancient work but also reflect the Colima tradition of honoring individuals with unusual physical traits—often believed to hold special roles as shamans or figures of spiritual significance1. The vessel’s deep, burnished red surface is highlighted by mineral deposits, offering a tactile connection to its centuries spent as a burial object in a shaft tomb—a hallmark of Colima funerary practice. Subtle painted details enliven the expressive face and robust limbs, while the overall sculptural composition exudes both strength and vulnerability. Artifacts like this were created by the Colima culture, renowned for their sophisticated ceramics and vivid representation