Guanacaste-Nicoya Jaguar Effigy Vessel - PF.3967, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1200 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 15" (38.1cm) high, Catalogue: V20, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Guanacaste-Nicoya Jaguar Effigy Vessel - PF.3967, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1200 AD to 1550 AD, Dimensions: 15" (38.1cm) high, Catalogue: V20, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Guanacaste-Nicoya, Medium: Terracotta. A traditional image of Costa Rica, and extremely exquisite is the jaguar. In many works of art, it is portrayed elegantly in a variety of ways; the pear-shaped vessel is one of the more beautiful designs. Made of terracotta and then painted with a cream/white slip and decorated with black and red decorative motifs, the whole piece is visually very striking. The face of the jaguar is in the center of the vessel in sculptural splendor with its fangs displayed. Around the face is a serrated collar, which accentuates the face and brings about a connection between the main body of the vessel and the extremities such as the neck and the arms and legs. The neck is decorated in registers with beautiful geometric patterns. However, the legs and arms show a charming jaguar motif. Combined, all of these forms of decoration create a beautifully symmetrical work of art capturing many of the traditional ideas of the community, and allowing us to have a brief glimpse into this piece of history.   « Less

Terracotta Seated Male Figure - PF.4016, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 11" (27.9cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta. One of the  More »

Terracotta Seated Male Figure - PF.4016, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 11" (27.9cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta. One of the most amazing aspects of Costa Rican art is the realism that the artist tries to achieve. Rather than creating an ideal world, the artist creates what he sees as accurately and as beautifully as possible. This particular sculpture shows a man seated, afflicted with the disease Polio. This debilitating sickness is realistically portrayed by a serious deformity in the right arm. He also has a severe hump on his back. This in turn, tilts the head slightly, causing the person to lose the symmetry that we are so used to finding in works of art. The decoration on the person is very simple motifs on the shoulders. The hands and feet are also painted, as is the area around the mouth. The head is covered by a simple monochrome cap, which hides all visible traces of hair. Though the artist is not trying to evoke sympathy in the observer, we cannot help but be moved by the sympathetic realism that the artist has provided us with.   « Less

Gold Pendant of a Shaman Wearing an Avian Costume - PF.4044, Origin: Panama, Circa: 700 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Catalogue: V20, Collection:  More »

Gold Pendant of a Shaman Wearing an Avian Costume - PF.4044, Origin: Panama, Circa: 700 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Catalogue: V20, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian. Medium: Gold. Gold objects rapidly became the primary symbols of authority and prestige in ancient Panamanian society. Important people bedecked their bodies with gold. They used it to bribe allies and to pay ransoms for captured sons. In times of danger, they hoarded it in secret places in large baskets. Customarily referred to as a 'god', this magnificent gold pendant is more reasonably interpreted as a tribal man-animal culture hero, a mythical warrior, or an alter ego. One of the first most notable characteristics of this dynamic figure is the long, gently curving beak. This might be interpreted as an eagle or a King Vulture. There is a curious triangular- shaped headdress positioned on his forehead. Two dramatically twisting serpents or iguanas flow from the top of his head. The consumption of iguana meat, associated with warrior elites, had a ritual significance in ancient Panama. Below the wide spread arms or "wings", this gallant figure is clad in a belt. Since the belt emanates from the area of the penis, it possibly has sexual or procreative significance. Protruding forth from the knees are two heads with prominent crocodilian teeth and upturned snouts ending in a volute. The technological skill, refined style and complex subject matter of this glimmering gold pendant is unsurpassed by its contemporaries.   « Less

Standing Male Vessel - PF.4066, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 21.5" (54.6cm) high, Catalogue: V25, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.  More »

Standing Male Vessel - PF.4066, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 21.5" (54.6cm) high, Catalogue: V25, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta. This vessel is extremely interesting due to its subject matter and the vivid way in which it has been executed. The entire front of this vessel has been sculpted into the shape of a man dressed in ceremonial costume. In his hands he holds a bowl that would contain an offering. The beaded jewelry on his wrists and around his neck even out the composition that includes an elaborate headpiece wears. The polychrome colors in subtle earth tones lend a special beauty and artistry to the piece. The expressive face demonstrates the skill of the artist and the ability to create a true sense of realism. The function of the vessel was for important ceremonies, so not only was it functional but also pleasing to the eye. Though we know a great deal about the life and ceremonies that took place at this time in Central America, understanding the background of a work of art is not always as easy, yet this adds a certain amount of intrigue to the piece, as we try to reconstruct the past with our imagination, and give the piece a life of its own.   « Less

Vessel Depicting the Head of Tlaloc - PF.4159, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1100 AD to 1500 AD, Dimensions: 14.5" (36.8cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Vessel Depicting the Head of Tlaloc - PF.4159, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1100 AD to 1500 AD, Dimensions: 14.5" (36.8cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Standing Masked Shaman - PF.4162, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 18" (45.7cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.

Standing Masked Shaman - PF.4162, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 18" (45.7cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Anthropomorphic Ceremonial Vase - PF.4189, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 16" (40.6cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium:  More »

Anthropomorphic Ceremonial Vase - PF.4189, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 16" (40.6cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Veracruz Terracotta Incencario Depicting the Fire God Huehueteotl - PF.4205, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 18" (45.7cm) high, Catalogue: V20,  More »

Veracruz Terracotta Incencario Depicting the Fire God Huehueteotl - PF.4205, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 18" (45.7cm) high, Catalogue: V20, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Veracruz, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Terracotta Sculpture of a Peccary - PF.4206, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium:  More »

Terracotta Sculpture of a Peccary - PF.4206, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high, Catalogue: V22, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Terracotta Chocolate Pot - PF.4223, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD, Dimensions: 18.75" (47.6cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.

Terracotta Chocolate Pot - PF.4223, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD, Dimensions: 18.75" (47.6cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less