Gorgeous Gem-like Mayan Eccentric, Chalcedony

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #499893

Mayan eccentrics are tiny, fascinating works of art whose purpose is still poorly understood. Eccentrics are thin, finely-knapped ceremonial objects made of obsidian, chalcedony, flint or chert. They are typically assumed to have served ritual functions and are generally found in caches in ceremonial contexts. Eccentrics take many shapes, including real or mythological creatures and important symbols from the Mayan world. They were produced over a very wide time span with Classic period product... Click for details

Pre-Columbian Mayan "Swimmer" Bowl, Copan

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #499890

Copador-style pottery was first produced in Copan in the 730's A.D. as a trade item for the rapidly-growing populations of modern El Salvador and Honduras. It was wildly successful; as a beautiful object that was non-elite and therefore available to commoners, Copan could barely meet the demand for Copador wares. In fact, some archaeologists have estimated that virtually every household in El Salvador would have had a few examples of Copador by the Late Classic Period. Characterized by reds, bla... Click for details

Pre-Columbian Tiwanaku Kero, Peru

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #499881

Tiwanaku (or Tiahuanacu) was founded around 200 B.C. in modern Bolivia near Lake Titicaca. Creative agricultural techniques allowed the city to grow to large proportions, ultimately housing as many as 40,000 inhabitants. Accordingly, Tiwanaku became an important regional power during the Middle Horizon period (600-1000 AD) with a span of control that included areas of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. The city ultimately collapsed around 1100 AD, likely as a result of drought, and the Chimu rose to pow... Click for details

Costa Rican Stone Trophy Head

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #499112
CR87

A wonderful Trophy Head from the Atlantic Watershed zone of Costa Rica, ca. 1000 - 1500 AD. It is 5" high, 6" wide and is skillfully carved from volcanic rock. A superb example, with nicely detailed facial features and coif on top of the head. In excellent condition with good mineral deposits.

Nice Mezcala Stone Figure, Pre-Columbian West Mexico

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #498916

The Mezcala River in Guerrero, Mexico has yielded a great number of stone objects that are widely appreciated for their abstract, schematic appearance and use of fine stones. Stone vessels, masks, figures, temple facades, and celts are among the many lithic products of this area. Interestingly, these objects were also much revered by other ancient Pre-Columbian peoples. More Teotihuacan stone masks came from Guerrero than from Teotihuacan itself, and the later Aztecs coveted the serpentine, gran... Click for details

Interesting Pre-Columbian Figure, West Mexico

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #498910

This cute figure from western Mexico displays an interesting mix of Colima and Jalisco styles, perhaps a regional variant of the Pihuamo style.

Colima is one of the tiniest modern states in Mexico, located in the west-central region bordering the Pacific Ocean. Archaeologists refer to the culture that flourished there in ancient times by its modern name since very little information is known about the people themse... Click for details

Moche Malky Vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #496745
MO539

An exquisite Moche III Malky effigy from Peru, ca. 200 - 450 AD, 8" high, 6" long. The figure is rendered in exceptional detail, with special attention paid to the facial expression and the layered headdress. He is seated in front of a rolled textile bundle, which represents the textile wrapping of this mummy. In superb condition, with strong paint, nice deposits and a high pitch tone on the functional whistle. Museum deaccession. An exceptional example of Moche art. ... Click for details

Nazca Trophy Head

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #490891
NZ264

An exceptional Nazca Trophy head from Peru, ca 300 - 500 AD. This superb example is 6-3/4" high, 6" in diameter and has a beautifully detailed face with decorative panel. In addition to the ornaments on the forehead, the back of the head is decorated with a two-headed caterpillar executed in fine detail. In excellent condition, with good deposits. Museum deaccession.

Moche Mountain Scene

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #486598
MO481

An exceptional Moche III Mountain scene from Peru, ca. 200 - 450 AD. This wonderful example is 7" high and depicts a Moche warrior seated on a mountain top accompanied by one of the Apus in the form of a monkey. The detailing of the figures is magnificently executed, with Fineline painting of plants, including the potent San Pedro cactus, adorning the cream slipped areas. Much has been written about Mountain scenes and they are recognized to be among the culturally more important ceramics. In... Click for details

Inca Polychrome Ariballo

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre 1492: item #476549
IN77

A gorgeous Inca ariballo from Peru, ca. 1400 AD. This exceptional 9-3/4" high vessel is Imperial Inca, decorated with the characteristic pattern of the period. The paint is vivid and the overall condition is excellent, with the adorno, the strap handles and the tiny loops at the rim all intact. A rare example.