Featured WHAT.. did I just buy? Where from?

Picked this up at a thrift store Boca Raton FL, my wife thinks I’m crazy. Me, Just a risk taker, I’m all in at $5 plus tax

At 7” tall, would love to here your thoughts, real or fake? What is it exactly?

God, I hate when they write on unglazed pottery with a permanent marker.

 

Pre-Columbian (folk art?). Possibly ... the headdress may be decorated with Cacao beans with a jaguar skin around shoulders.

James.

 

Thanks *thumbs up*

 

LOL. I am with your wife. It might be worth a fortune, but.........

 

She's betting against me................................again.

 

It looks like it might be a whistle of some sort. I think I see a hole in the top of the topknot, and one at the back, in addition to the open base. It is more than likely that it is a modern Mexican recreation rather than actually pre-columbian in date. He does not seem to be any particular style, and the posture is quite odd - he seems to be seated on something, but it is not differentiated from his body. Sitting with one leg propped on the opposite knee is not a typical posture in actual pre-columbian figures. They tend to sit flat on the ground, with legs out stretched, crossed, or with the knees drawn up.

 

Sorry, can't help seeing the Mighty Favog...

 

A recently made figure (flute), pre-Columbian inspired.
As @2manybooks said, not a specific style. That means that it is not a pre-Columbian item, and not even a replica.
Pre-Columbian terracottas rarely have cracks, certainly not this many. They never look this sloppy. Just about everything about it is odd, imo.

These items are often sold as souvenirs near archaeological sites. They provide an income for local families. So there is at least one redeeming quality.

 

I think one giveaway is that there's no years off dirt in the cracks and holes on this ceramic . If ancient nobody will give it a dishwasher clean look so most probably as said a recent tourist piece bought when visiting a ancient site

 

so true

@2manybooks @Any Jewelry, as always you guys and this group is the best. I appreciate all the info and knowledge you share. If I'm put here to help a family in some far away land meet their means, well so be it. It's my pleasure.

Thanks all
(sorry for the delayed response as we have been traveling.)