Ameca-Ezatlán Style Jalisco Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Couple - PF.1274, Origin: Jalisco, Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high,  More »

Ameca-Ezatlán Style Jalisco Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Couple - PF.1274, Origin: Jalisco, Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 10.5" (26.7cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Ameca-Ezatlán, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Michoacan Sculpture of a Standing Woman - PF.1395, Origin: Michoacan, Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 7.125" (18.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Michoacan Sculpture of a Standing Woman - PF.1395, Origin: Michoacan, Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 7.125" (18.1cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Michoacan, Medium: Terracotta. Though her bold symmetry only makes a minimal concession to realism, this abstract woman glows with the energy of human life. Bare breasted, wearing jewelry, and bearing traces of polychrome paint, she was left long ago as a votive gift. Almost certainly, she represents the person who offered her before the Gods, a woman of ancient Mexico. Perhaps this is the only clue remaining to that forgotten human life, the embodiment of hopes and dreams not so very different from those we might feel today. Just beneath the surface of the clay, we sense the heartbeat of a vanished world.   « Less

Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Coatimundi - PF.1403, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high, Catalogue: V6, Collection:  More »

Colima Terracotta Sculpture of a Coatimundi - PF.1403, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high, Catalogue: V6, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Colima, Medium: Terracotta. Sometimes realistic, sometimes magical, the art of Colima celebrates the diverse animal life of ancient Mexico. The coatimundi is a raccoon- like the creature native to the Americas. Its ears are pointed and its snout is long and flexible, traits the artist has captured here with great energy. Skilled climbers, coatis forage for food on the ground and in trees; this plump, sleek fellow appears to be eating some tidbit. Radiating charm and humor, he speaks of culture in harmony with its natural surroundings.   « Less

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Seated Dog - PF.1439, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 10.25" (26.0cm) high x 5.75" (14.6cm) wide, Catalogue: V11,  More »

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Seated Dog - PF.1439, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 10.25" (26.0cm) high x 5.75" (14.6cm) wide, Catalogue: V11, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Colima, Medium: Terracotta. This charming dog sits with an alert but quizzical look on his face, as if wondering at the curious behavior of humans. He has good reason to be puzzled. In the ancient world that created him, plump little dogs like himself were sometimes eaten as a delicacy. We should hurry to reassure him that in our culture such practices have long been abandoned. If we cannot help staring at him, it is only because he is so delightful, not because we are considering him for a meal.   « Less

San Sebastián Style Nayarit Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.1442, Origin: Nayarit, Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 19.75" (50.2cm) high x 9"  More »

San Sebastián Style Nayarit Terracotta Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.1442, Origin: Nayarit, Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 19.75" (50.2cm) high x 9" (22.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: San Sebastián, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Vessel in the Form of a Man with an Exaggerated Phallus - PF.1472, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 9.25" (23.5cm) high x 6.125" (15.6cm) wide,  More »

Vessel in the Form of a Man with an Exaggerated Phallus - PF.1472, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 9.25" (23.5cm) high x 6.125" (15.6cm) wide, Catalogue: V12, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Colima, Medium: Terracotta. This fascinating sculpture was buried centuries ago to hold an offering of food or drink for the deceased. Radiating an aura of erotic magic, it speaks of the promise of renewal and the continuity of life. The crested helmet identifies the subject as a shaman or magic man who acts as intermediary between the world of the living and that of the dead. As with the Roman God Priapus, the enlarged phallus symbolizes male fertility, the essence of life and creation. Placed in a tomb, such a figure was meant to guarantee the rebirth of the spirit in the afterlife. Full of primal sensuality, its message touches the very heart of human culture. Even in an age that offers practical answers for life’s mysteries, its power is undeniable.   « Less

Colima Sculpture of a Standing Shaman Warrior - PF.1921, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 16" (40.6cm) high, Catalogue: V8, Collection:  More »

Colima Sculpture of a Standing Shaman Warrior - PF.1921, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 16" (40.6cm) high, Catalogue: V8, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Colima, Medium: Terracotta. In ancient Mexico, the shaman acted as healer, religious leader, and spiritual guide. Part doctor, part priest, the shaman helped put the mysterious universe into perspective. The horn that adorns his headdress is a symbol of power, divinely granted. This magnificent shaman image was placed in a tomb to protect the deceased from the unknown dangers of the afterlife. He holds a club, which seems both a symbol of office and a weapon, while on his back he carries a basket to hold the hallucinogens that will aid the transition into the realm of the spirits. When he was left in that tomb so long ago, could anyone have imagined the fantastic world in which he now finds himself?   « Less

Chupicuaro Sculpture of a Voluptuous Woman - PF.1968, Origin: Chupicuaro, Mexico, Circa: 350 BC to 250 BC, Dimensions: 2.5" (6.4cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide, Collection:  More »

Chupicuaro Sculpture of a Voluptuous Woman - PF.1968, Origin: Chupicuaro, Mexico, Circa: 350 BC to 250 BC, Dimensions: 2.5" (6.4cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Chupicuaro, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Colima Vessel in the Form of an Armadillo - PF.1991, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high, Catalogue: V11, Collection:  More »

Colima Vessel in the Form of an Armadillo - PF.1991, Origin: Western Mexico, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high, Catalogue: V11, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Colima, Medium: Terracotta. Animals are featured prominently in Ancient Mexican tomb art, especially the dog, and the Armadillo. It is known that small dogs were eaten as delicacies, and in some cases dog effigies represent food for the deceased. The dog was also believed to lead the dead down the path to the underworld, and thus dog, and armadillo effigies sometimes served a spiritual function. This fascinating sculpture depicts an armadillo , perhaps a reference to some forgotten myth. Though its meaning has been lost, it leaves a dramatic sculptural impression, with contours pleasing to the touch. We realize when we look upon it that not all things in life have a logical explanation. HT. 19cm(7 1/2IN): L. 25.3cm(10IN).   « Less

Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Figure-Celt Pendant - PF.2165, Origin: Western Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 6.125" (15.6cm) high, Catalogue: V6, Collection:  More »

Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Figure-Celt Pendant - PF.2165, Origin: Western Costa Rica, Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD, Dimensions: 6.125" (15.6cm) high, Catalogue: V6, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Guanacaste-Nicoya, Medium: Jade. Carved from a deep green jade the color of a forest shadow, this pendant was clearly a prized object in Ancient America. It has been suggested that such ceremonial axes were worn by chieftains and shaman involved in decisions concerning agriculture. The highly polished surface and the large size of the piece exude an aura of power and importance. Even across the barrier of time and culture, we cannot mistake its benevolent and potent magic.   « Less