Basalt Olmec Mask - PF.4634, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 13.5" (34.3cm) high, Catalogue: V24, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Basalt, Medium:  More »

Basalt Olmec Mask - PF.4634, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 13.5" (34.3cm) high, Catalogue: V24, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Basalt, Medium: Basalt.   « Less

Mayan Jade Celt - PF.4635, Origin: Guatemala, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan, Medium: Jade.

Mayan Jade Celt - PF.4635, Origin: Guatemala, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan, Medium: Jade.   « Less

Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Dog - PF.4653, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 8.5" (21.6cm) high x 14.75" (37.5cm) wide, Catalogue: V24,  More »

Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Dog - PF.4653, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 8.5" (21.6cm) high x 14.75" (37.5cm) wide, Catalogue: V24, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Colima, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Mayan Stone Ceremonial Celt - PF.4688, Origin: Guatemala, Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD, Catalogue: V24, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan, Medium: Stone.

Mayan Stone Ceremonial Celt - PF.4688, Origin: Guatemala, Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD, Catalogue: V24, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan, Medium: Stone.   « Less

Olmec Terracotta Seated Figure - PF.4790, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1000 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium:  More »

Olmec Terracotta Seated Figure - PF.4790, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 1000 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta. The beauty of this sublime figure comes mainly from the very relaxed pose. Though an immediate sense of ease and comfort is felt, the figure's position is quite complex, requiring a delicate balance of form and weight distribution. His chin rests lightly on the left arm that in turn is supported by the raised knee. The slanted angle of the left leg is counterbalanced by the extension of the right knee and the thickness of the thigh. The shoulders and right leg being on the same vertical plane, while the head is perfectly straight achieve stability. The effect is of someone who is very comfortable with his body, and who could sit for hours in happy self-contentment. It is reasonable to assume the sculpture was made to commemorate a family member, most likely of the upper classes. The expression on the face is one of serenity and good cheer, while the delicately formed lips part as if about to speak. This very lovely work of art further proves that Olmec artists were among the most inventive and skilled of any in the Ancient World.   « Less

Human Effigy Jar - PF.4986, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 12" (30.5cm) high x 8.5" (21.6cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta. A  More »

Human Effigy Jar - PF.4986, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 12" (30.5cm) high x 8.5" (21.6cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta. A vessel in the form of a human body, highly stylized, though realistic in many respects, constitutes a unique and fascinating genre. Within the mythical, almost supernatural context of this fabulous vessel, something very real is going on. The figure is in the seated position with short legs extended slightly to the sides; while the arms curve down from the upper portion to rest on the sides of the abdomen. These elongated arms have a distinctly animal appearance like the legs of a jaguar. The prominent head extends from the main body nearly reaching the top of the vessel's rim. The shape of the skull is monkey-like, though the intensity of the eyes and form of the mouth is distinctly human. Beautiful patterns on the forehead have a stenciled effect and are similar to the more elaborate ones on the upper corners of the chest. Two wide black areas divided by a bold red line and two white ones decorate a kind of tight fitting cap. Most intriguing is the painting of the kidneys surrounding the belly button. All these elements combine to form a type of iconography seen on other such vessels, and lead one to consider they were used for a specific purpose, such as containing medicines for the treatment of liver disease. The hunchback and pigeon breast, here represented as a general swelling of the back and abdomen, were physical marks of shamans who served the community as healers. Perhaps this vessel was owned by a shaman who wished to depict through tangible, visual representation, the power he possessed to cure disease.   « Less

Mayan Carved Cylindrical Marble Vessel - PF.6175, Origin: Honduras, Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan, Medium:  More »

Mayan Carved Cylindrical Marble Vessel - PF.6175, Origin: Honduras, Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan, Medium: Marble. Felines and serpents are among the most potent symbols of Pre-Columbian mythology. Jaguars have long been associated with the ruling elite, as is also true for lions, due to their fierce dominance of the jungle environment. Two jaguar masks decorate the sides of this carved alabaster vessel, placed near the rim as if they were handles. Fierce and snarling, with clearly defined fangs visible and tongue hanging across its jaw, these beasts are clearly not to be reckoned with. They emit a strength and power revealed both by their fangs as well as their intense stares. Their rounded eyes gaze outward at us as if to warn us to back away. Decorated by a series of swirling wave-like patterns rendered in low relief, this gorgeous vessel clearly must have played an important role in ceremonial functions relating to the Mayan religion. The skilled execution of the carving, the iconography of the compositions, and the form of the vessel all suggest that it once contained a ceremonial substance integral to the ritual festivities. Might it have once held a sacred hallucinogenic potion to be drunk by a shaman? Might it have once held the blood of a sacrificial victim to be consumed by the king, in order to gain its life- force? Clearly this vessel was treasured as much by the Mayans in its own time as it is by us now. Today, void of any ceremonial significance, this work is a stunning example of the masterful artistry of the Maya and their complex religious beliefs.   « Less

Olmec Stone Rod Depicting a Jaguar-Headed Snake - PF.6188, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 15.25" (38.7cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec,  More »

Olmec Stone Rod Depicting a Jaguar-Headed Snake - PF.6188, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 15.25" (38.7cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Stone. Considered to be the mother culture of Mesoamerican civilizations, the Olmec ruled a vast empire covering much of southern Mexico from around 1300-400 B.C. Today, they are famed for their colossal heads, giant sculptures that first alerted scholars to their existence in the latter half of the 19th Century. Scholars continue to debate whether these monumental sculptures depict the heads of rulers and kings or decapitated sacrificial victims. Thus, when the meaning of the most well-known monuments of the Olmec culture is open to debate, little can be known for sure about these mysterious people.   « Less

Olmec Greenstone Mask Depicting a Were-Jaguar - PF.6196, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec,  More »

Olmec Greenstone Mask Depicting a Were-Jaguar - PF.6196, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Greenstone.   « Less

Mayan Vessel in the Form of a Hunchback - PF.6083, Origin: El Salvador, Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan,  More »

Mayan Vessel in the Form of a Hunchback - PF.6083, Origin: El Salvador, Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan, Medium: Terracotta. This peach-colored vessel depicts a rotund seated figure with his arm placed at his sides. He wears a wide loincloth; a sash that secures it in place is visible stretching along his back. His face is unusually modeled. A prominent crest rises from his ear to the center of his head where it dramatically stops. A similar protrusion rises from his other ear and partially covers his brow. These features, when combined with his deeply recessed eyes and dramatic under bite, suggest that this figure might represent a deformed individual, perhaps a hunchback. Oddities of nature, instead of being shunned as they were in many civilizations throughout the world, were honored among several Pre-Columbian cultures. In fact, hunchbacks were specifically revered, believed to possess special supernatural power bestowed upon them by the gods, thus explaining their unique appearance. The rank of this figure is revealed by the necklace he wears with a large ovular central pendant, most likely made of jade. Such luxurious adornments were reserved for the upper classes, suggesting that this may in fact be a hunchback shaman. Such a vessel clearly had a prominent ceremonial function. Sacred beverages must have been sipped from it during religious rituals. Even today, the Maya are known to consume specific traditional drinks during spiritual ceremonies, a practice that must date back to the height of their civilization. Was this vessel once the sacred possession of a powerful shaman? Discovered buried inside a tomb, this work surely played as important a role in this world as it did in the afterlife.   « Less