Current Offerings
Inca Quipu
This enigma is made of Cotton. Composed of a thicker, 32"/81.28 cm long Primary cord. It contains 65 pedant cords alternating in segmented tan and brown colors. Each pendant varies in length with strategically placed differing type knots representing numeric values. According to Harvard University's Quipu Data Base Project, there are approximately 600 Quipus in existence in museum, university and private collections around the world.
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Olmec Were-Jaguar Mask
This exceptional were-jaguar mask was sculptured from the Olmec’s most favored jade stone. Rarest among transforming Were-Jaguar mask types. The mask is unique exhibiting both animal and human qualities in high relief. Notable for its characteristic upraised upper lip, bifurcated tongue, curved fangs and cleft forehead. Perforated almond shape crossed eyes (strabismus), pug nose and projecting thin elongated ears. Two pierced holes for suspension.
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M-8 Mezcala Axe God
A symmetric Mezcala anthropomorphic Axe God figure. Type M-8. Carved from gray Metadiorite stone. Incised features and details indicated by grooving. A fine and very attractive semi- abstract piece. Sediment deposits throughout as found. Guerrero, Mexico. Ca 700 B.C. - 650 A.D. Measures: H. 7.625”/19.37 cm.
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Mochica Seated Bound Prisoner
An extraordinarily and expressive wooden Moche III seated bound prisoner. Uniquely made from a piece of the Aphandra (mastodon palm) tree into a human Calero (lime container). His facial features are exaggerated and remarkable. Almond shaped eyes, made of shell with purple spondylus pupils. Large nose, ears and pointed head. Curled copper wired whiskers are also attached to his face and nacre (mother of pearl) applied all around the neckline.
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Chancay Mummy Bundle Mask
An excellent, robust Chancay Mummy Bundle Mask. Made from the Alder tree with uniformly applied gritty red cinnabar. Red is the color of the east, the rising sun and thus a sign of the resurrection to new life. Large rounded shaped head. Strong naturalistic facial features with diamond shaped eyes. Measures 12"/30.48cm in height unmounted. Central coastal region, Peru 1200-1470 AD. Exceptional and large.
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Guanacaste Costa Rican Incensario
A wonderful Potosi Applique with crocodilian effigy. This ritual incense burner has a top cover finalized with a portrayal of an aggressive spiny Caiman. Three rows of exaggerated pointed scutes crowns his elongated head. Two double ring banning appliqué surround the upper and matching lower section. White and red colors faintly appear near the eyes and legs. Lower bowl has vertical stripes in light yellow. Overall body is heavily textured. The figure to the bowl has been reattached along with a back leg and tail. Restoration applied over the brakes. Otherwise in excellent condition. Measures 13.5"/34.3 cm in height.
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Manteño Seated Figure Incensario
An attractive and large ceramic incensario. A broad shouldered naked male seated in a frontal pose on a stool with a stepped base. Facial features are incredibly bold and realistic. Wears traditional large disc ear plugs. The shallow platter type headdress is very large, measuring over 10”/25.4 cm in Diameter. Excellent motifs on the upper chest and back indicate the high rank of this individual. Highly burnished marbleized brown-black ceramic contributes to its beauty. Outstanding example.
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Published Manteño Parakeet Shell Mortar
A wonderful Manteño shell mortar in the shape of a parakeet. This adorable miniature mortar was de-accessioned from the collection of the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC (inventory 67.12.12). Published in the book “The Pre-Columbian Collection: Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina”, by M. Keating Griffiss, 1970 (object no. 94). The ancient artisan produced this from a thick shell core to resemble one of their more sacred animals - The Parrot.
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Inca Bronze Axe Blades with Owl Insignia
Cast bronze with half moon shape blade. Center hole in the thick haft base. Sacred Andean owl decorated on a single side. Eyes wide with long ear-tufts. A suitable insignia on a weapon blade that reflex wisdom and protection to the holder while announcing death to its opponent. Sierra, Ecuador. Ca. 1400 -1550 A.D. Vintage Riker display case.
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Valdivian – Chorrera Ceremonial Stone Mortar
Exceptional and robust granite stone mortar of the Transition Style. Beautiful spiral perforation on the tail. Valdivia region, Ecuador. Ca. 2000 B.C. - 300 B.C. Measures: 9" long, 4" tall, 3" wide. Choice.
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Machalilla Effigy Vessel
This magnificent rare specimen is one of the first hollow molded human forms made in the Americas. Rich tan burnished ceramic vessel effigy with corporal decoration. Machalilla region, Ecuador. 2000-1000 BC. Stands at 7 1/2" tall. Restored from several pieces.
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Inca Hunchback Figure
Highly deformed hunchback bronze figure. Nude. Facial features are remarkable. Expressive and detailed. Hunchbacks were seen as an emissary between the Inca people and divinity. Deposited as an offering. Very rare.
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Wari False Head Mask
Exceptional and rare Wari False Head. Wood plank form with incised bone teeth and eyes. Purple Spondylus shell pupils. Headband is engraved with avian motifs. All original. Choice condition. North West region, Peru. 1000-1470 A.D. Measures over 7.8"/19.81 cm.
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Jaguar Inca Kero
This classic Inca qero has the characteristic Inca form with slightly concave sides, a flat base and rounded rim. Decoration consists of three incised registers. Immediately under the rim, a gorgeous painted register with images of 5 detailed Jaguars heads, and 5 Suns with semi circles representing halos. The middle band has a zig-zag pattern and the rest of the lower vessel is adorned with continuous vertical bands of chevrons.
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Published Moche “Ai Apaec” Tumi
Atop of this copper tumi sits one of the most important deities in the Moche pantheon, the great god of creation - Ai Apaec. God of the sky and mountain. Precursor to the Inca god Viracocha. Superb detailed casting. Fearsome warrior face with hair of snakes. Both arms and legs finials are also detailed showing open mouth serpents. Verdigris patina throughout. Northwest Peru 1 - 700 AD.
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Guanacaste – Nicoya Crocodile/Tlaloc Vessel
Crocodilian style effigy jar from the Nicoya Region of Costa Rica. This superlative pear-shaped polychrome ceramic vessel has two protruding crocodile heads with a beautiful complex painted motif that stands on hollow rattle tripod legs. Openwork mouth prominently exposes his upper and lower teeth. Two continuous painted bands separate the lower crocodilian vessel to the wide panel effigy around the neck of the jar. A ritual imagery of Tlaloc is decorated between the upper and lower geometric designs. Buff Tan slip, burnished, with black and orange-red paint. Rare. Reassembled from large sections with minor restoration over breaks.
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Nazca – Hauri “Elites” False Head Mummy Mask ca. 500-1000 AD
A very rare “Elites” false head bundle from the Nazca Huari period. This remarkable and delicate mummy face mask head is comprised of Totoro reed stuffed within a woven cotton gauze. Small individual vibrant orange colored feathers are attached to the front creating the face. Nose bundle is in relief with black feathers being applied for contrast. Eyes and mouth are made from copper sheet and sewn in. The crown is composed of two sections. The lower headband is a woven textile with colorful zoomorphic imagery. The upper is a bulky cotton gauze. Braided rope also adorns entire head.
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