The clay sculpture of a mother carrying her child
on her back depicts an activity of a daily village
life. Many of pre-classic art from west Mexico
reflect scenes from the everyday village life.
However, this unique piece is much more special
because it informs us of the Nayarit culture's
method of transporting babies. Unlike numerous
other mother child figures that show child on
mother's lap, for example, this work shows how
the mother used a cloth carriage to hold and to
transport her child on her back. The innocent
child clings to the mother's back with the fragile
limbs and hands. The expression on the baby’s
face shows sweet naiveté, delight, and
satisfaction of being close to the mother and the
warm, symbiotic bond between the mother and
the child is evidently displayed. Contrast to the
small and fragile baby, the stout mother stands
proudly with her head slightly raised. Showing
her large bosom, she has her hands placed on
both sides of her belly, which enforces the idea
of childbearing and fertility. Standing firmly with
her two large feet on the ground and wearing a
simple headdress and a skirt, she generates the
undeniable characteristic of the earthy
motherhood.
- (PF.2930)
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