Finding aid to the Ecuador Figurine Drawing collection, undated MS.1308
Finding aid prepared by Krystal Appiah
Autry National Center, Braun Research Library
2008
234 Museum Drive
Los Angeles, CA, 90065-5030
323-221-2164
rroom@theautry.org
Title: Ecuador Figurine Drawing collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.1308
Contributing Institution:
Autry National Center, Braun Research Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
(1 box)
Date: undated
Abstract: The collection is comprised of 160 photocopies of drawings that depict figurines, which were likely produced by the Jama Coaque
(200 B.C.–800 A.D.) culture in the province of Manabí in Ecuador. Date that the photocopies were made is unknown. In the pre-Columbian
era, the Manabí region was inhabited by many cultures who produced ceramic figurines, including the Bahia, Jama Coaque, Guangala
and Tolita/Tumaco cultures. Although ceramics from these cultures share some resemblances, the figurines depicted in this
collection most closely resemble those of the Jama Coaque culture.
Original order has been retained. The sets are collated with the drawings in numerical order according to the numbering on
the labels.
The collection is comprised of 160 photocopies of drawings that depict figurines, which were likely produced by the Jama Coaque
(200 B.C.–800 A.D.) culture in the province of Manabí in Ecuador.
There are two identical sets of drawings with each set consisting of 80 sheets. Most sheets contain labels with handwritten
notes in Spanish listing the number of the figurine and geographic locations. All the labels list the province Manabí and
either Cojimies or Pedernales, which are coastal cities in Manabí, Ecuador. The labels also contain a third location, which
may be the name of an archeological site.
Ecuador Figurine Drawings, undated, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry National Center, Los Angeles; MS.1308.
In the pre-Columbian era, the Manabí region was inhabited by many cultures who produced ceramic figurines, including the Bahia,
Jama Coaque, Guangala and Tolita/Tumaco cultures. Although ceramics from these cultures share some resemblances, the figurines
depicted in this collection most closely resemble those of the Jama Coaque culture. Figures produced by the Jama Coaque were
more elaborately decorated than those of other cultures in the region during this period. Jama Coaque figurines were decorated
with fine carving and painted in many colors, with many figures wearing ceremonial garments, crowns, pendants and collars.
Jama Coaque figurines were often made from molds and had an average height of seven to twelve inches. Figurines frequently
depicted warriors, musicians, hunters, dancers, or zoomorphic figures. Although some Jama Coaque figurines were attached to
vessels, most were freestanding.
References:
Estrada, Emilio.
Prehistoria de Manabi. Guayaquil, Ecuador: Editorial Vida, 1957.
Falling Rain Genomics, Inc. “Directory of cities, towns, and regions in Ecuador.” http://www.fallingrain.com/world/EC/ (Accessed
August 17, 2008).
Porras G., Pedro I.
Nuestro ayer: manual de arqueología ecuatoriana. Quito, Ecuador: Centro de Investigaciones Arquelógicas, 1987.
Collection is open for research. Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit http://theautry.org/research/research-rules-and-application
or contact library staff at rroom@theautry.org. An item-level inventory is available from library staff.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry National Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Autry Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry National Center
as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must
also be obtained by the reader.
Initial processing and finding aid completed by Krystal Appiah, 2008. Final processing completed by Anna Liza Posas 2012 October
17. Final processing of collection and publication of finding aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications
and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Donor unknown, acquired by the Braun Research Library before 2008.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Cojimies (Ecuador)
Drawings
Ecuador -- Antiquities
Indians of South America -- Ecuador
Jama Coaque culture
Manabi (Ecuador)
Pedernales (Ecuador)
Photocopies