I discovered this wonderful little clay woman with child at the estate sale of a choreographer in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood, who had a fantastic collection of objects from around the world, ancient to contemporary---and I fell in love with her immediately. I love the black hair, big round painted eye with sculpted nose between them, the exaggerated hands with individuated fingers, and the way she lifts and cradles her child, who so intimately rests his arm on her shoulder; such a tender and universal gesture of connection between mother and child.
I believe this a clay fertility figure from the Caraja, or Iny, culture indigenous to the Brazilian Amazon and believe it likely dates to the earlyish 20th century.
The very tip of the arm of the child and some of her hair on the back side is chipped off, and there is some cracking to the rest of her hair. Otherwise this piece is very good condition, with the appropriate signs of age and wear to suggest that it is very old indeed.
4 1/8" tall x 2 1/4" wide x 3" deep.