A prime example of a Sukia (smoker) figure from Costa Rica/Atlantic Watershed/ca400-800A.D. The seated figure is a dark gray lava material and measures 6" in height by 4" in width by 3 1/2" in depth. The squatting figure has raised arms holding a pipe or seashell to his lips. Shamans still use this practice today in remote areas. The shaman would inhale the smoke and then exhale the vapor to help cleanse the ailing patient and remove evil forces from the patient.

An intriguing Moche portrait head vessel from Northern Peru/ca400-650A.D. The vessel depicts a young warrior or nobleman and measures 5" in height by 6" in diameter. The young man has a wide rounded face, a strong aqualine nose, elongated almond shaped eyes accentuated in white, a slight wry smile, short bangs, and large flaring ears. There is a long tubular ear ornament decorating each ear lobe. An excellent example of the type.

A painstakingly hewn jaguar metate measuring 10 1/2" in length by 3 1/2" in height... Costa Rica/Atlantic Watershed/ca400-800A.D....The material is a light off-white volcanic material with dark sparkling mica chips throughout. The face of the feline has an open maw with fangs exposed and a broad splayed nose extends down from the raised ears. The elegantly side sweeping tail is incised with cross hatched lines. The vessel is very mildly eroded which further attests to its great age.

A visually striking ceremonial incensor from the Oxaca area of Mexico ca300-600A.D. depicting a seated anthropomorphic figure. The figure measures 5" in height by 3 1/2" at the widest diameter. The figure has elongated almond eyes, large ear spools, and a double necklace of large circular orbs. The back of the figure incorporates an urn like cylindrical vessel where incense would have been placed. These figures are often found in groupings as burial offerings. Other than one miniscule chip to the rim of the urn the vessel is in as found condition and a beautiful example of Zapotec artistry.

A group of three Chimu tweezers (Chimu/North Coast Peru/ca1000-1470A.D.) The largest of the three is a circular copper piece and heavily encrusted. It measures 2 3/4" in height by 2 1/2" in width. The other two are mixed metals. The larger of the two elongated pieces is 2 1/2" in length by 1 1/2" at the widest.

A prime example of an Inca (Peru/ca1450-1534A.D.) black stone canopa in the shape of a llama measuring 3 1/2" in length by 3" in height. The drilled hollow area in the upper section was filled with llama fat and the piece was then buried below the floor level of the house as a ceremonial offering to insure the safe occupancy of the owner.

A large and exceptional heavily encrusted Moche copper nose ornament from Northern Peru dating ca100-860A.D. measuring 2 1/4" in height by 3 1/4" in length. The piece is deftly hammered and carefully shaped with its two upcurving circular elements. Elegant and impressive.

An exceptional example of a carved lava stone male ceremonial figure measuring 10" in height by 7" in width and weighing 4lbs...from Costa Rica/Atlantic Watershed/ca400-800A.D. The deftly hewn figure has elongated almond eyes, ear ornaments, and striated braided hair. The figure has a square face with a broad nose and an elongated square mouth. He stands, arms akimbo in a serious solid mode with slightly bowed legs. A fine intact example from the area.

A highly stylized mother and child mini sculpture from West Mexico dating ca 300B.,C.-300A.D.She measures a mere 2" in height by 1 3/4" in width. The tiny red burnished female figure has her child sitting on her shoulders and peeking over her head piece. Both mother and child are wearing identical head pieces with two side elements and a center peak.

A charming solid hand modeled "sheep faced" female figure with her arm cradled around her child...West Mexico/ca300B.C.-300A.D. The effigy measures 4 1/2" in height by 3" in width. She is wearing an elongated draping head piece and she has a large nose ornament and ear pieces. The child echos her long aqualine nose and elongated face and appears to have one arm up in a waving posture. Remnants of the original black pigment still remain on the skirt, arm, breasts, and the hand of the child.

A charming hand molded figure depicting a noble woman with a baby on her lap from Ecuador...ca200-600A.D.....The figure stands 4 1/2" in height by 2 1/2" in width. The mother is sitting with her infant extended in one arm. She is bare breasted with an ankle length tunic covering her lower body. She is wearing a domed head piece, large ear ornaments, a nose ornament, and a multi-strand necklace. On close examination the child is wearing the same ornamentation...perhaps a sign of social status.

A paper thin extremely well fired circular footed bowl from The Southern Highlands of Peru dating c.a.400-1000A.D. The vessel measures 3" in height by 5" in diameter and has a rich cream base slip with ornamentation in black and red. Two round eyed double headed stylized centipedes circle the rim and there is a curious "X" mark on the underside of the base. The vessel is so beautifully fired that it has the feel of quality porcelain.