Veraguas Gold Eagle

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #156538
VG6

A large Veraguas double eagle pendant from Costa Rica, ca 800 - 1400 AD. This exceptional tumbaga (gold alloy) eagle is formed with splayed wings, which are exquisitely decorated in minute detail and superbly executed heads, with sharply downturned beaks and elaborate necklaces. The head and claws are finely detailed. The body contains a clapper which is frozen and two suspension loops are attached to the back. This stunning piece is 3-3/4" high and has a 4-3/4" wingspread. Minor losses.

Mayan Chiefs & Glyphs Bowl

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #156164
MA360

A lovely Mayan polychrome bowl from El Salvador, ca. 600 - 800 AD, 6-3/4" diameter. The exterior of this carinated vessel features three lords seated in the offering position, each facing a block of four glyphs. The inside has five turkey vultures, each with speaking glyph, arrayed around concentric circles. Even the ribbed base has decorative paint panels. Repaired from two pieces.

Diquis Gold Shaman

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #156158
DI3

A superb Diquis tumbaga (gold alloy) shaman playing a trumpet, ca. 800 - 1400 AD. He is 4" tall, executed in the Veraguas style and portrayed wearing an elaborate headdress and ear ornaments. There are two pairs of confronting alligator heads emanating from his hips and legs, showing his powers of transformation. A suspension loop is attached on the back. ex-Sotheby's. A matching one is in the Robert Woods Bliss collection.

Moche Cacique Figure

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #155901
MO83

A fine Moche polychrome figure from Peru, ca. 650 - 800 AD. This Cacique or Shaman is 6-3/4" tall, posed standing and is elaborately adorned with a fancy horned headdress and clothing, which is executed in relief and nicely enhanced with paint. This ornamental resist type paint decoration is a rarity. This is an unusual regional type from northern Peru and shows characteristics of Huari stylistic influence. In excellent condition, with the expected deposits. A small stress crack does not det... Click for details

Gold Pre-Columbian Vicus Nose Ring

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #155014

The Vicus civilization was one of the earliest advanced civilizations in South America, originating in modern Peru between 200 BC and 400 AD. Known for very developed ceramic, gold, and silver art, their work had much in common with the Moche civilization to the near south. The Vicus buried their dead in deep tombs in the shape of a boot with offerings of gold and ceramic pottery in the forms of persons, objects, and strange animals, many of which have survived due to the protective design of th... Click for details

Gold Pre-Columbian Diquis Figural Pendant

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #155010
pc1

The Diquis civilization comprises a poorly-understood culture that originated in the southwestern part of modern Costa Rica. The first three phases of Diquis history are largely conjecture due to a lack of C-14 dating, but scattered information is available from the fourth phase (Diquis-IV) around 500 A.D. through the functional end of the civilization in 1550 AD (Diquis-VI). Culturally, Diquis civilization is considered to form part of the larger subarea known as Greater Chiriqui, which include... Click for details

Colima Serpent Flute

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #154919
CO317

A fine single chamber ceramic flute from Colima, West Mexico, ca. 300 BC - 300 AD. This wonderful instrument is 12-5/8" long, made from nicely burnished dark buff terra cotta and features a fine serpent adorno, in addition to the ridged sides which are thought to represent an alligator. A superb example, intact, with nice sound.

Moche III Decapitator Vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #154815
MO78

An excellent early Moche III fineline Decapitator vessel from Peru, ca. 200 – 250 AD. This superbly executed piece is 6-3/4” high. The supernatural creature is depicted in profile, with a humanoid body and fox head. The characteristic ceremonial tumi is held in one hand, the severed head in the other. Painted in reddish-brown over a cream slip. Spout is reattached, else in excellent shape.

See “Moche Fineline ... Click for details

Moche Erotic Frogs

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #154812
MO79

A wonderful Moche IV erotic effigy from the Piura area of northern Peru, ca. 450 - 550 AD. This 5-3/4” high spouted vessel has a nicely burnished red slip, which is decorated with cream colored markings to mimic the particular species depicted. This pair of copulating frogs is terrifically detailed and lifelike. The spout shows the Vicus influence on the artist and presents testimony to the parallel development of these cultures and their exchanges of artistic techniques and stylistic element... Click for details

Colima Warrior

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #152497
CO310

A wonderful warrior figure from Colima, West Mexico, ca. 300 BC - 300 AD. He stands 4-1/2" tall behind his large, curved shield and is portrayed wielding a club above his head. He is adorned with an elaborately detailed helmet, which has a built-in whistle. The shield shows traces of decorative paint and the appliqué work is exceptional. Minor repair to shield.