Stone Sculpture of a Dwarf - PF.3827, Origin: Ecuador, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 12.5" (31.8cm) high, Catalogue: V20, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Green  More »

Stone Sculpture of a Dwarf - PF.3827, Origin: Ecuador, Circa: 300 BC to 500 AD, Dimensions: 12.5" (31.8cm) high, Catalogue: V20, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Green Stone, Condition: Intact. This figure represents a dwarf with the added deformity of missing arms. Around the broad waist a wide covering extends beyond the navel and cuts upwards from the groin at an angle over the middle thighs. Short legs and small feet are modeled in a way to give fine balance to the heavy torso. His ovular head reaches nearly to the edge of the shoulders, his nose is very large and fleshy, the grinning mouth reveals a row of well-proportioned teeth. Most significantly, the eyes are depicted in such a way as to suggest both being closed and open, as if through a narrow slit below the lids he is watching us. Around the neck is a pattern of inverted connecting triangles, in a design bringing to mind jesters of Europe. Dwarfs, hunchbacks and others with physical deformities were regarded with esteem in Meso-America; seen as individuals possessing magical powers. The power of this sculpture lies in its depiction of a person afflicted that shows grace, dignity and a gentle beauty.   « Less

Tairona Terracotta Effigy Vessel - PF.4437, Origin: Tairona Region of Colombia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 10" (25.4cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Tairona Terracotta Effigy Vessel - PF.4437, Origin: Tairona Region of Colombia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 10" (25.4cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Tairona, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Sculpture of a King - K.006, Origin: North Coast, Peru, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.

Sculpture of a King - K.006, Origin: North Coast, Peru, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Stone Skull Mask - PF.5825, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1 st Century AD to 5 th Century AD, Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Costa Rican,  More »

Stone Skull Mask - PF.5825, Origin: Costa Rica, Circa: 1 st Century AD to 5 th Century AD, Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Costa Rican, Medium: Stone. The artist who created this fascinating stone skull mask was not only an exceptional lapidary artist, but his choice of material was also very perceptive. The stone is remarkably similar in color and composition to the human skull, especially in regards to the vein formations and the general texture and feel. The artist may have gone through many quarries to find this special stone. In general, Mesoamericans believed that the universe embraced the heavens and underworld as one. There was no separation between the terrestrial world and the realm of the supernatural. Everyday experience incorporated these two worlds together; it was a basic aspect of their reality. Thus, the world of the dead was closely integrated into the world of the living. Deceased ancestors were believed to have powerful influences upon the living. Major festivals honored the dead. Most likely, this mask represented the death deity and would have been worn in such an elaborate ceremony. By appeasing the death deity through ritual, the ancient Costa Ricans may have felt that their ancestors would be safe in the Underworld and in turn have favorable influences upon the living. Or perhaps, the death deity acted as an intermediary for the humans to communicate with the deceased. Due to their perception of the unity of the terrestrial worlds and the Underworld as one, we can only imagine that this mask and the ritual performances in honor of the death deity had good intentions for all: the gods, humans and the dead.   « Less

Toltec Plumbate Vessel with a Sculpted Head - PF.6276, Origin: Soconusco, Guatemala, Circa: 1000 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Toltec Plumbate Vessel with a Sculpted Head - PF.6276, Origin: Soconusco, Guatemala, Circa: 1000 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 7.25" (18.4cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Toltec, Medium: Plumbate.   « Less

Guanacaste-Nicoya Blackware Sculpture of Saurian Deity Holding Celt and Head - PF.3778, Origin: Guanacaste, Nicoya, Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 23.75"  More »

Guanacaste-Nicoya Blackware Sculpture of Saurian Deity Holding Celt and Head - PF.3778, Origin: Guanacaste, Nicoya, Costa Rica, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 23.75" (60.3cm) high x 12.5" (31.8cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Guanacaste-Nicoya, Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Calima Gold Shell - DD.002, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 500 BC to 200 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Pre- Columbian, Style: Calima, Medium: Gold, Condition: Very  More »

Calima Gold Shell - DD.002, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 500 BC to 200 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Pre- Columbian, Style: Calima, Medium: Gold, Condition: Very Fine.   « Less

Sinu Gold Nose Ornament - FJ.3914, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Sinu, Medium: Gold. In the  More »

Sinu Gold Nose Ornament - FJ.3914, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Sinu, Medium: Gold. In the ancient Americas, persons of rank adorned themselves with elaborate gold jewelry. In addition to the earrings, necklaces and bracelets common to cultures worldwide (and still in use today) the tribes of the Isthmus regions wore golden nose ornaments like this one. Numerous theories have been proposed about the function of these jewels: they may have been symbols of power and status, shields to protect against the spread of illness, or merely stylish ornaments. We can imagine the person who wore this nose piece centuries ago, proud and noble, glowing with the brilliant richness of gold.   « Less

Sinu Gold Pectoral - FJ.3915, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 3.575" (9.1cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Sinu, Medium: Gold. Round and  More »

Sinu Gold Pectoral - FJ.3915, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 3.575" (9.1cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Sinu, Medium: Gold. Round and glowing as the disc of the sun, this gold pectoral would once have been worn by a Sinu individual of high rank. The utter simplicity of its shape and the timeless radiance of gold makes this ancient jewel immensely appealing to the contemporary eye. When we admire its unadorned beauty, we share our appreciation with the ancient culture that created it. It evokes the fabled riches of El Dorado, the splendors of a vanished world.   « Less

Sinu Gold Pectoral - FJ.3916, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Sinu, Medium: Gold. When the  More »

Sinu Gold Pectoral - FJ.3916, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Sinu, Medium: Gold. When the European conquistadors first arrived on the shores of the New World, they were astonished by the golden ornaments worn by the native peoples. A legend soon arose of a place called El Dorado, a splendid city built all of gold. Though El Dorado always eluded the adventurers who sought its riches, there was indeed a remarkable amount of gold in the Americas. This radiant pectoral, elegant in its unadorned simplicity, may once have been worn by a Sinu noble. It speaks of a culture with a refined aesthetic sense. As we hold this jewel in our hands today, we cannot but wonder it the person who first wore it so long ago delighted in its beauty as we do.   « Less