Rare Pre-columbian Ceremonial Stone Metate

Nicoya Ceremonial Basalt Stone Seat in Shape of a Jaguar. Published in the Arizona Museum. This large and finely carved example of Costa Rican skill and craftsmanship is in the form of a jaguar which may have been a lineage or clan symbol - as also was the crocodile - according to 16th-century Spanish conquistadors. There are so many features that make this masterpiece so unique. The most realistic depiction is the face with its head captured in a pose that is threatening and fierce. Sculptors in ancient Central America developed elaborate metate forms that were associated with high status and wealth. They were commonly placed within graves of prominent individuals. Certain ancient rituals must have incorporated this activity and required special metates to be created for this purpose. It may have also served as a throne for the ruler, for whom the assurance of the fertility of his land and people would have been paramount. Even today, stone metates...

A rare, sheet silver human face mask with simple relief facial features including large, almond shaped eyes and downturned mouth. Classic stepped pyramid headdress with round, very t...

This intriguing head fragment was once attached to a pre-Columbian bust or full effigy figurine. Earthenware figurines like this were made in great abundance throughout Mesoamerican history, serving a wide variety of purposes and functions from religious rituals to burial offerings. Figurines like this commemorated important people and events across Mesoamerica, portraying individuals of different rank and status such as soldiers, merchants, bureaucrats, and occasionally divinities. This figure is adorned with an elaborate headdress, or coiffure, and ear spools...

This is a very rare and extremely unusual figurative solid bronze handcrafted sculpture. The figure is most likely Inca-Mayan and worshiping Inti, also called Apu-punchau,-in Inca religion the sun of God. The work is incredibly detailed, starting with the man’s feet...

A hollow molded copper skull head, lidded vessel having well defined relief features with inset shell eyes and teeth. Lid has a double headed applicator. ...

Ancient pre-Columbian, Nayarit, Mexican, circa 100 BCE to 250 CE, hand-built ceramic pottery redware sculpture of a seated male figure with arms crossed and wearing a headdress and m...