Moche Maternal Figure

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #193803
MO161

A lovely 7-3/4" high Moche III Maternal figure, ca. 200 - 450 AD. She is painted overall with orange over cream slip, with a nice facial expression and attention paid to detail. The arms protrude from wide sleeves and are molded in high relief, with each hand holding a child, carried over the shoulders. In excellent condition, with surface deterioration on the base underneath.

Olmec head

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #193703
OL4

A great Olmec hollow pottery head, ca. 1200 - 900 BC. This Las Bocas type head is 5-1/4" high and is finished with the classic white slip and black headdress. The teeth have that sharp, filed look, which is part of the "Jaguar Baby" appearance. A fine example off a larger figure. Impressive.

Pre-Columbian Greenstone Axe-God, Costa Rica

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #193650

Despite the fact that its societies are often overlooked in surveys of Pre-Columbian cultures, Costa Rica hosted an amazingly complex network of small societies by 800 B.C., including the Chiriqui, Diquis, and Nacoya. Although these civilizations did not create monuments and large buildings as the Mayans and more familiar civilizations did, their surviving artwork is quite distinctive and attractive.

This pectoral ... Click for details

Large Pre-Columbian Mayan Copadore Bowl

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #193634

The Mayan civilization originated in the highlands of Guatemala around 1000 B.C., eventually spreading into the lowlands of the Yucatan peninsula to form one of the largest empires in Mesoamerican history. By the 7th Century B.C. the Mayans were building monumental temple pyramids, and city-states like Tikal and Palenque began to form around them. Civilization advances such as writing, the development of a highly-accurate calendar, and the now-infamous ceremonial ball games followed shortly ther... Click for details

La Selva Offering Plate

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #190798
CR74

A wonderful offering plate from Costa Rica, ca. 500 - 1000 AD. This is a La Selva Red, Phase A, type piece, 8-1/2" long, with a 5" diameter plate. The handle is in the form of a monkey, clutching the plate with its toes. He is holding his tail in one hand and his wide open mouth indicates that he is shouting. The monkey is hollow and contains a rattle. A rare example, in excellent condition, with good deposits.

Viru House Vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #190792
GV2

An excellent Gallinazo - Viru house vessel from Peru, ca. 0 - 100 AD. Many times this type of vessel is identified as a shrine, instead of a house. It is 5-3/4" high, 6" long and is formed from two connected bottles. The front bottle holds the house, with its excised window openings cut in the shape of steps as a reference to the pyramid style structure of its builders. A small figure is seated inside the house. The second bottle is topped with a spout, which is connected to the front by a b... Click for details

Moche Bird Vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #190720
MO157

A superb Moche III bottle from Peru, ca. 200 - 450 AD. It is 8-1/2" high and features six animated birds painted on five circular panels, set off against a red slip. In excellent condition, with only minor pigment losses.

Nazca Fruit vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #190716
NZ71

A fine Nazca vessel form Peru, ca. 300 - 700 AD. It is 6" high and depicts a connected pair of pepinillos, which are fruit in the melon family. Delicately painted in dark red and brown, over cream slip, with the characteristic bridge handle connecting the little spouts. One side has some pitting, caused by the high saltpeter content of the soil, but it displays beautifully.

Jalisco Sheepface Shaman

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #190388
JA90

A fine Sheepface shaman from Jalisco, West Mexico, ca. 200 BC - 350 AD. He stands 5" tall and is wearing the horned headdress. Nice polychrome paint, intact.

Jalisco Figural Vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #189824
JA88

An exceptional polychrome figural vessel from Jalisco, West Mexico, ca. 200 BC - 350 AD. It is 6-1/2" high and has a 5-1/2" diameter. This rare example has the facial features and arms attached as high relief appliqué work. The entire vessel is covered with a cream slip and decorated overall with orange serpent designs. This extends well into the interior of the vessel, as well as on the underside. Nicely burnished, good deposits. In excellent condition.