Kneeling Masked Figure Volcanic Stone - PF.2593, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 700 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 23.75" (60.3cm) high, Catalogue: V10, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Kneeling Masked Figure Volcanic Stone - PF.2593, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 700 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 23.75" (60.3cm) high, Catalogue: V10, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Basalt. Masterfully carved from a single piece of volcanic rock with only stone and wood tools plus abrasives, this dynamic masked figure is a splendid example of the Ancient Pre-Columbian sculptural artistry of Costa Rica. Caught in arrested motion, ready to rise at a moment's notice, the finely carved figure wears a fantastic alligator mask, replete with powerful teeth and curling snout. His spectacular two-tiered headdress recalls the Costa-Rican stools of similar shape that are also adorned with alligator masks. While the figure's left hand rests on his leg, his right hand presses against his side in a ceremonial posture. A necklace adorns his chest, composed of a long horizontal bar with hanging vertical elements, perhaps representing the jade tubes found in the same geographic region. With his ferocious mask and dramatic pose, we wonder if this mystical figure is the representation of a chief or a shaman…and who are the gods that he reverently addresses? Clearly, this dramatic figure suggests a person of spiritual rank and power. He is a magnificent rendering of three-dimensional form, a figure that captivates us as we sense his barely- harnessed motion and feels the power and energy of his reptilian visage. The admirable harmonizing of naturalistic rendering and an energetic spirit makes this figure a masterpiece of Pre-Columbian sculptural art.   « Less

Erotic Conjoined Figures - PF.2639, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1000 AD to 1500 AD, Dimensions: 15.75" (40.0cm) high, Catalogue: V13, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium:  More »

Erotic Conjoined Figures - PF.2639, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1000 AD to 1500 AD, Dimensions: 15.75" (40.0cm) high, Catalogue: V13, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Basalt. Expertly carved from a single piece of volcanic rock with only the use of stone and wood tools plus abrasives, these erotic conjoined figures are a stunning example of the Pre-Columbian sculptural skills of the Ancient Costa Rican artisans. Featured in a sexual position that would not lead to childbirth, this couple is reminiscent of the Mochica erotic art that is believed to represent ritual practices that occurred in ceremonial contexts. Although little is known of the erotic art in Costa Rica, it is evident from this extraordinary sculpture that the skill of the stone carver was highly advanced and remarkably expressive.   « Less

Mayan Carved Cylinder Vessel - PF.2647, Origin: Guatemala, Circa: 550 AD to 950 AD, Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high, Catalogue: V13, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan,  More »

Mayan Carved Cylinder Vessel - PF.2647, Origin: Guatemala, Circa: 550 AD to 950 AD, Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high, Catalogue: V13, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan, Medium: Terracotta. Conveyers of cultural information as well as beautiful objects in their own right, Mayan artworks such as this extraordinary carved ceramic vessel are imbued with a power and spirit that is truly monumental. Although the glyphic language of Mayan art is relatively foreign to us, it nevertheless conveys not only the visual beauty of the individual Mayan glyphs that surround the outer surface of the vessel, but also the tactile sensations of the glyphs’ raised relief. A further addition to the beauty of the vessel can be seen in the dramatic display of light and shadow that results from these raised images. As our mind’s eye contemplates the wonder and meaning of glyphs on the vessel we are also drawn to the striking pair of masked figures who sit cross-legged, opposite each other on the vase. With a vulture’s eye they stare at us, privy to secrets of their culture that we will never know. The flat, smooth surfaces that separate these masked figures give a subtle sense of balance and proportion to the vessel, a feature that is characteristic of Mayan art. It is evident from this striking vessel that Mayan art communicates powerfully with the modern world, while at the same time transmitting in eloquent detail the life of the Ancient Maya in all its fascinating detail.   « Less

Mayan Polychrome Cylinder Vessel - PF.2665, Origin: El Salvador, Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide, Catalogue: V13, Collection:  More »

Mayan Polychrome Cylinder Vessel - PF.2665, Origin: El Salvador, Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide, Catalogue: V13, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mayan, Medium: Terracotta. Much of Mayan art was dedicated to the glorification of their great kings, priests, and gods and to their remarkable concepts of time. Although portions of the specific iconographic meanings are still somewhat ambiguous in Mayan art, much is known today about the artistic techniques of this masterful craftsman. This extraordinary polychrome cylinder vessel reveals the characteristic pictorial methods used by the artists. Brushes, much like those of the Chinese, were used for the line work in painting as well as writing. In fact, the stunning calligraphic line work on this Mayan vessel clearly rivals that of the Chinese as a model of the world's greatest calligraphic traditions. The Mayan artists' acute sensitivity to the boundaries of the pictorial field is also affirmed in this vessel, for the central, painted composition is suitably framed by a striped and glyphic band not only performs a stylistic function but also, through the glyphic language, becomes a harbinger of information. When coupled with the other glyphs and figures on the vessel, the vase becomes a communicator to the Ancient Maya. Although the specific iconographic meaning may be unclear today, the communicative power on an artistic level is still very compelling. Clearly, the artworks of the Maya stand as a testament to a culture whose aesthetic sensibilities are ageless in their ability to transmit spirited messages to all who are fortunate enough to encounter them.   « Less

Jalisco Standing Female Sculpture - PF.2779, Origin: Mexico (Western), Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 15" (38.1cm) high, Catalogue: V13, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Jalisco Standing Female Sculpture - PF.2779, Origin: Mexico (Western), Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 15" (38.1cm) high, Catalogue: V13, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta. The power of this piece is unmistakable; the figure represents a pregnant woman. She stands erect, hands resting on her h1ps and across her stomach that draws attention to the figure's swollen abdomen. Her lines and colors are simple, yet striking. Her face is alert, but, from the two tiny holes in her arms, perhaps we can say she looks vigilant. She once might have been hung at a special altar to the fertility god or maybe she was placed in the home of a pregnant woman to ward off evil spirits. It is obvious she is a lucky charm for the women of her village. There is no doubt that she could still perform her magic today, if called upon.   « Less

Atlantic Watershed Jade Figure Pendant - PF.2810, Origin: Eastern Costa Rica, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 5.625" (14.3cm) high, Catalogue: V13, Collection:  More »

Atlantic Watershed Jade Figure Pendant - PF.2810, Origin: Eastern Costa Rica, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 5.625" (14.3cm) high, Catalogue: V13, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Atlantic Watershed, Medium: Jade. In Ancient Costa Rica, large jade pendants were worn as emblems of rank and authority as well as talismans of protection by chieftains, warriors, and shamans. This superb example of dark green jade depicts a man crowned with two alligator heads standing atop another animal. The detailed sculptural rendering has a powerful expression that captivates the beholder.   « Less

Chinesco Style (Type B) Nayarit Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.2813, Origin: Nayarit, Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 12" (30.5cm) high, Collection:  More »

Chinesco Style (Type B) Nayarit Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.2813, Origin: Nayarit, Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 12" (30.5cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, tyle: Chinesco (Type B), Medium: Terracotta. The world is entrusted with many secrets. Who actually built Stonehenge? How were Egyptian mummies preserved? Time has erased the reasons, the wherefores and the how’s and left behind some wondrous mysteries. Gazing at this powerful figure we are struck with yet another ancient secret. This female sculpture from Nayarit is one of two styles found in the region. The first is the classic Nayarit style and the second is the "Chinesco" style. Excavators uncovered countless pieces in this particular style of sculpture and were confused as to its strong Oriental look, hence, the classification "Chinesco." Could it have been possible that an Asian culture crossed the seas thousands of years ago and settled in Mexico? What has become of them? No records have yet been uncovered to explain who these ancient people were. But, they have left behind a fantastic legacy.   « Less

Colima Sculpture of a Man with an Erect Phallus - PF.2874, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 12.25" (31.1cm) high x 8.5" (21.6cm) wide, Collection:  More »

Colima Sculpture of a Man with an Erect Phallus - PF.2874, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 12.25" (31.1cm) high x 8.5" (21.6cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Colima, Medium: Terracotta. This richly burnished hollow clay male figure sits with an exaggerated phallus. He wears a large headdress that hangs down on both sides of his well-formed face. His back and chest are enhanced with unusually shaped scarification marks, each round mark slit in the middle with incision although the figure's overt sexual quality may seem exhibitionistic in our culture, it possessed entirely different significance in Ancient Meso-America. Considering the Meso- American religious context, which indicates that life, emerges from death, the figure with exaggerated phallus symbolizes the regeneration of life after death. Used as a ritualistic offering, the figure's sexual characteristic served as a sign of fertility and life. Considering such connotation of fertility, the designed, scarification-like marks could also represent female genitalia, as seen on other Colima figures with sexual attributes. The obsessive quality of the repeated design all over the figure's back and chest seems to strongly reinforce the concept of life and birth. To people in late pre- classic Colima, such artistic expression was neither pornographic nor tabooed. This seated male figure, thus, undoubtedly expresses the importance of regeneration.   « Less

Mayan Plate - PF.2910, Origin: Guatemala, Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 15" (38.1cm) high, Catalogue: V15, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta. This large  More »

Mayan Plate - PF.2910, Origin: Guatemala, Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 15" (38.1cm) high, Catalogue: V15, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta. This large Mayan plate portrays an elaborately decorated man wearing a feathered headdress, into which a bird is speaking. This graceful figure is encircled by hieroglyphs that accent the circumference of the plate. He stands with austere confidence, holding a weapon-like object. In Mayan civilization such plates were essential items because the plates were often decorated with royal portraiture of a ruler the plates, thus, describe reigning eras of rulers who were considered as semi-divine beings with royal heritage and spiritual power the figure on the Mayan plate displays numerous signs of such status and power he shows cranial deformation, a sign of noble beauty, and wears elaborate headdress. He also wears jade ear spools and fancy clothing. The most interesting point of this plate, however, is the act of communication between the ruler and the bird-- perhaps one of many Mayan gods. The ruler's gesture and the marks that resemble speech scroll from the bird’s open beak signify communication, the ruler's spiritual power of interacting with a god. The headdress was associated with gods in Mayan civilization and it sometimes took shapes of various gods. Perhaps some rulers communicated with gods through their headdress. The glyphs around the plate perhaps convey the ruler's name and the dales of his reigning era. As such usage of hieroglyphs illustrate, the Mayans had extremely complex hieroglyphic system of names, dates, and cosmos. Like pages of a book, this beautiful plate describes a period in history with elegant lines, colors, shapes, and hieroglyphs.   « Less

Pair of Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Figure-Celt Pendants - PF.2911, Origin: Western Costa Rica, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbia,  More »

Pair of Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Figure-Celt Pendants - PF.2911, Origin: Western Costa Rica, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbia, Style: Guanacaste-Nicoya, Medium: Jade. This beautifully carved pair of jade pendants represents two solemn anthropomorphic figures, which elude a graceful timelessness. The smoothly carved and polished surface of the pair of jade pendants indicates a fine craftsmanship and a religious effort to create the set of magical pendants. This unique set of pendants shows two figures skillfully carved from one jade. One figure representing a male and the other representing a female, the pair of pendants is a source of spiritual strength that originates from both genders. Worn by chieftains and shamans during ritualistic ceremonies, the vibrant power and magic of the jade pendants were applied to bring prosperity and abundance. Perhaps the pair of pendants of both genders signified fertility and strength of female and male genders. Such precious amulets also indicated rank and authority of chieftains who wore the prized pendants. The mesmerizing quality that feels poignant and hypnotizing surrounds the pair of pendants of both genders. Perhaps such mystical qualities gave the wearer of the pendants a sense of strength and power of each gender. Even across the obstacles of time and culture, these finely carved jade amulets' grace and power are evident today.   « Less