Bahia Ancestral Stone Tusk Idols
Intricate Details and Artistic Narrative of these
Bahia Stone Idols
These are important ancestral stone idols from the Bahia culture of Ecuador. Ca. 500-500 A.D. Curved tusk-like shape with anthropomorphic features incised on the front. Faces have ovoid eyes, mouths, and a parallel-sided nose. Horizontal band(s) on top of the head depict crowns. Long, slender arms are to their sides, and their hands are slightly elevated to the chest in a praying state. Found both on the Island of La Plata and in habitation sites in Manabi. By contrast, Valdivian flat plaques (Palmer Stone) are similar but lack the distinctive rounded, tusk-like shape. Very Rare
Measures: Left – 6.5”/16.51 cm. Price $2,850
Middle – 6.0”/15.24 cm. Price $2,850
Right – 7.3”/18.41 cm. Price $2,750
These unique figurines were deposited in small clusters and buried upright in small shallow holes exposing only their heads. Indication of offerings or part of some ritual. They are limited to be found within the borders of modern Ecuador as none are known from Peru or Colombia. Many ceramic figurines within the Regional Development Period are clearly depicted wearing or holding tusk-shaped figurines around the neck or held in the hands.
Ref: Pia Hahn, Institute of Archaeology; Dorse, Field Museum; Ecuador, Betty J. Meggers.
Similar examples are shown in Charms in pre-Columbian Ecuador pg 40.; Amerindian Signs pg 96, plate 59;
Pre-Columbian Art of South America by Alan Lapiner, pg 449, plate 739
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