Gold Anthropomorphic Pectoral - FJ.6239, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 400 AD to 1600 AD, Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Gold Anthropomorphic Pectoral - FJ.6239, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 400 AD to 1600 AD, Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Tolima, Medium: Gold.   « Less

Chavin Blackware Human Effigy Vessel - K.066, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 8.875" (22.5cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Chavin Blackware Human Effigy Vessel - K.066, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 8.875" (22.5cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Chavin, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Moche Blackware Portrait Head Vessel - K.097, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 8.25" (21.0cm) high, Catalogue: V5, Collection:  More »

Moche Blackware Portrait Head Vessel - K.097, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 8.25" (21.0cm) high, Catalogue: V5, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Moche, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Nazca Vessel in the Form of a Squatting Figure - PF.1329, Origin: South Coast of Peru, Circa: 1 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Catalogue: V7, Collection:  More »

Nazca Vessel in the Form of a Squatting Figure - PF.1329, Origin: South Coast of Peru, Circa: 1 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Catalogue: V7, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Nazca, Medium: Terracotta. With bold lines and rich colors, Nazca craftsmen recreated the world around them in pottery. This fascinating vessel depicts a squatting man who holds a fox or wolf on his back with a cord. How are we to interpret this scene? Is he some fur trapper who has brought a pelt to market? A mountebank daredevil who lifts wild beasts to amaze the crowd? Or is he a figure from myth, a Peruvian Hercules who wrestles with the supernatural forces of nature? As we turn the vessel round and round, staring first at the human face and then at the animal, a thousand possibilities occur to us. The answer has faded into time, leaving only this powerful image to intrigue us.   « Less

Moche Portrait Head Stirrup Vessel - PF.1363, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 200 AD to 400 AD, Dimensions: 10.375" (26.4cm) high, Catalogue: V5, Collection:  More »

Moche Portrait Head Stirrup Vessel - PF.1363, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 200 AD to 400 AD, Dimensions: 10.375" (26.4cm) high, Catalogue: V5, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Moche, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Mochica Squatting Corpse Stirrup Vessel - PF.1860, Origin: Peru (North Coast), Circa: 200 AD to 600 AD, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high, Catalogue: V7, Collection:  More »

Mochica Squatting Corpse Stirrup Vessel - PF.1860, Origin: Peru (North Coast), Circa: 200 AD to 600 AD, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high, Catalogue: V7, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Moche, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Valdivian Seated Fertility Goddess - PF.2397, Origin: Ecuador, Circa: 2500 BC to 1500 BC, Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Valdivian Seated Fertility Goddess - PF.2397, Origin: Ecuador, Circa: 2500 BC to 1500 BC, Dimensions: 5" (12.7cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Valdivian, Medium: Terracotta. The pottery traditions in Ecuador are some of the oldest in the New World, revealing unexpectedly long stylistic sequences and surprisingly innovative cultures. This stunning female fertility Goddess is an exquisite example of the ceramic tradition of the early Valvidian culture of Ecuador. This powerful mother Goddess sits on her wide buttocks, short outstretched legs serving to frame and highlight her femaleness. Larger breasts further accentuate her role as a source of fruitfulness, while a dramatic hairdo frames her small but expressive face. Fertility goddesses are a hallmark of virtually all-ancient cultures, echoing man's Universal desire to harness the forces of nature, allowing for a fertile and productive life--at its most basic subsistence level as well as on a transcendent plane. This spirited fertility Goddess, both visually and emotionally expressive gives substance to these Universal needs, her strikingly modern and powerfully primitive image truly uniting past with present, not only in her role as a mother Goddess but also in her aesthetic ability to please our senses.   « Less

Moche Portrait Head Vessel with a Pierced Nose - PF.2404, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 1 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Moche Portrait Head Vessel with a Pierced Nose - PF.2404, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 1 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Moche, Medium: Terracotta. The ancient Moche civilization of the North Coast of Peru created a distinctive and prolific artistic record of their culture through their pottery. Much of this art gives us an imaginative glimpse into the daily life, ceremonies and mythology of the people who created it. This striking portrait head vessel is an extraordinary example of that artistic expression. Supporting a spotted turban, reminiscent of the skin of a fearsome leopard, his face ornamented with patterned tattoos, this ancient warrior stares at us with wide-open eyes. Thin painted lips hide beneath a striking gold nose ring suspended from the warrior's pointed, tattooed nose. The highly burnished finish on this vessel results in a reflective quality on the surface that appears to emanate from within this spirited individual, radiating forth in an almost mystical fashion. To behold this ancient warrior is to feel his strength, to sense his vitality-- timeless in its ability to spark our imagination and command our attention.   « Less

Manteno Ceramic Standing Male Figure - PF.2434, Origin: Ecuador (Manabi), Circa: 850 AD to 1500 AD, Dimensions: 19.25" (48.9cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium:  More »

Manteno Ceramic Standing Male Figure - PF.2434, Origin: Ecuador (Manabi), Circa: 850 AD to 1500 AD, Dimensions: 19.25" (48.9cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta. Compelling in appearance, this standing male figure is a stunning example of Ancient Ecuadorian ceramic art, a masterpiece whose artistic tradition dates back to some of the earliest in the New World. Created by the Manteno culture of Ecuador, this male figure demonstrates the Ecuadorian craftsman's refined skill at manipulating the medium and his creative ability to express potent power and energy. Standing boldly with hands held at his thighs, the figure commands our immediate attention with the dramatic incised geometric designs that cover the surface of his body. These dynamic patterns are divided by a vertical line placed in the center of he figure's body that directs our attention downward toward his manhood and upward to his extraordinary face. Here we see a striking head adorned with a large headdress and pierced ear ornaments. His large nose is perforated through the nostrils, evidencing the addition of a metal nose ornament, now lost through the ravages of time. While the figure's almond-shaped eyes stare out at the world, his mouth forms an archaic smile, echoing the expression of early Greek statues. In fact, his rigid symmetrical stance with arms held stiffly at his side also reminds us of early sculptures, specifically the Greek male Kouros. How fascinating and intriguing that this extraordinary work of Pre-Columbian art not only stands as a distinguished testament to Ecuadorian artistic talents but also hearkens us back in time to the sculptural traditions of the old world. Without a doubt this captivating male figure has magical powers for he inextricably connects us one and all to the age-old family of man.   « Less

Valdivian Fertility Goddess - PF.2649, Origin: Ecuador, Circa: 2500 BC to 1500 BC, Dimensions: 9.5" (24.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Valdivian, Medium:  More »

Valdivian Fertility Goddess - PF.2649, Origin: Ecuador, Circa: 2500 BC to 1500 BC, Dimensions: 9.5" (24.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Valdivian, Medium: Terracotta. This beautiful fertility figure is a wonderful example that beauty can be simple without a lot of decoration or color. The anatomy is done in a simple way, yet the dark burnished red brings it to life. Her head is of the most interest because it is dominated by a full head of hair, which is parted down the middle and incised with thin lines to promote a realistic feel to it. Her face is very simple revealing large cheekbones and small features. Her slightly open mouth animates the face, which is so delicately hidden under the hair. However, though she is done in a simple and charming fashion, she still exudes a power and strength that can only be found with such figures, which was the reason for their popularity throughout the ages.   « Less