The pre-Columbian Mayan stone skull is a rare and highly significant artifact from the Maya culture of Mesoamerica. The Maya civilization was renowned for its art, architecture, mathematics, and astronomy, and the symbolic importance of skulls in their culture cannot be overstated.
The Maya viewed death as a transition to another realm, not an end. Skulls were often incorporated into rituals, art, and offerings, symbolizing the soul’s journey beyond death. They held significant meaning for the Maya, representing death, rebirth, and transformation.
This particular stone skull is a stunning example of Maya craftsmanship. It was skillfully carved from stone, and its surface exudes a primal power. The eyes are open-worked and are integral to the large cavity underneath. The cheekbones are exaggerated, and the entire skull shows remnants of a red pigment treatment, likely cinnabar, which would have created a dramatic theatrical effect when exposed to fire and heat. This would magically produce a shiny liquid mercury skull.
Some areas of the skull appear darkened or turned black due to the high intensity of this heat. Scholars refer to this substance as Metacinnabar. The overall patina on this artifact is simply beautiful and in excellent condition, making it a true gem among Maya artifacts.
Measuring 6 inches in length, this stone skull is believed to have been created between 450 and 650 A.D. in Guatemala. It is a valuable and fascinating piece of Maya history that continues to captivate scholars and collectors alike.
Ex- Marty Matz. Acquired 1970’s; J. Alexander, Watsonville, CA
Price $22,500
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Chancay Weaver’s BasketA large Chancay weaver’s basket made of woven rush. Personal assortment of tools which include numerous painted wooden spindles, metal and clay whorls, several small bundles of colorful yarn with a piece of textile, cotton, a cactus thorn comb, small pottery vessel, several bone implements and a Spondylus shell. Excellent condition. Lima region, Peru 1200 A.D. – 1400 A.D.
Measures 13.5″/34.29 cm L, 5”/12.7 cm W, 3.25”/8.89 cm H.
Ex J. Espinosa, Canada. Imported from Brazil in early 1980s.
The Valdivian culture, an ancient civilization that thrived along the coastal regions of present-day Ecuador, is renowned for its unique stone carvings, notably the enigmatic stone owl imagery. These artifacts, dating back to around 3500 BCE to 1800 BCE, offer a fascinating glimpse into the artistic and spiritual dimensions of the Valdivian people.
Archaeologists and historians believe these stone owl carvings held cultural and ceremonial importance within the Valdivian society. Owls, commonly associated with wisdom and mystery in various cultures worldwide, likely played a symbolic role in the spiritual beliefs of the Valdivian people. The precise meaning of the owl imagery remains a subject of scholarly debate, contributing to the allure and mystery surrounding Valdivian artifacts.
Unearthed at archaeological sites along the Ecuadorian coast, these stone owls highlight the Valdivian civilization’s connection to its natural surroundings and its capacity for artistic expression. The artifacts provide valuable insights into this ancient society’s cultural practices, religious beliefs, and artistic sensibilities.
In summary, the Valdivian stone owl imagery represents a distinctive facet of pre-Columbian art and spirituality. Through these artifacts, we understand the rich cultural tapestry woven by the Valdivian people and their enduring legacy in the annals of South American archaeology.
This is a beautifully large-sized Valdivian limestone plaque. Bas-relief with deeply incised carvings. Calcium Carbonate incrustations throughout. Chebe Region, Ecuador. Phase 8. Fine Condition. It measures over 11″ in height.
It is mounted on a custom metal stand.
Price $3,850
This item may become featured here in the Native American Art Magazine
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
A Standing Olmec Baby-Face Figure
This gorgeous white-cream hollowed figurine belongs to a specific subset of artifacts and represents the Olmec class of human “baby-face” figures. These delicate pudgy figurines are notable for their intricate craftsmanship and are believed to have had ritual or symbolic significance in Olmec culture. It showcases traits akin to well-nourished individuals. The Olmec civilization might have shown a keen interest in nurturing children and the mythical ties between the growth of infants and the cycles of agriculture. These sculptures meticulously capture realistic skin folds and subcutaneous fat, symbolizing abundance and ample resources. This representation could be a portrait of a maternal elite or can be interpretative of a crop fertility figure. Her left hand embraces her stomach while the right hand extends to her lower back. The face exhibits crisp features like slit-stylized eyes, a broad upturned nose, a downturned open mouth exposing her jagged upper teeth, squared ears with large open earplugs, and an intricate hairstyle and turbine on her elongated head. Notably, the center part of the figure’s back, head, and bottoms of her feet feature iconographic cross-vent elements, possibly alluding to the symbol of divinity.
Hollowed body. Made from a pinkish-colored clay. Covered in white-cream slip and red pigment. Possibly powdered cinnabar and red ochre, and likely employed in anointing the tomb where this figure found its place.
She stands independently, but a custom stand will be fabricated to provide a safer platform and extra support.
It is rare to find an Olmec standing babyface figure.
Ca. 1200 – 400 BC
Gulf Coast, Mexico
Measures: 8.5” in height.
Condition: Fully intact – Choice
Provenance: ex-old private Coral Gables Collection, Acquired in the 1960s-1970s by inheritance.
Price $14,500
You may also preview this Olmec Baby Face Figure via YouTube by clicking here: Olmec Baby Face Figure.
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Inca Bird Plate SAA Latin American Antiquity Journals
A collection of 72 back issues of Latin American Antiquity, a quarterly scholarly publication from the Society for American Archaeology, is for sale. This comprehensive set includes every issue from Vol. 1 (1990) to Vol. 15 (2004), as well as Vol. 17 (2006) to Vol. 19 (2008), making it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the archaeology and epigraphy of Latin America. The journals are packed with articles, reports, and reviews by professional archaeologists and cover all aspects and regions of Latin American archaeology, with a heavy focus on Mesoamerica and the ancient Andes. The topics covered range from the earliest Paleoindian populations to the Contact Era states, such as the Aztecs and Incas. The journals are well illustrated with line drawings, photos, graphs, charts, tables, maps, and profiles and are in excellent condition with solid bindings. You can click the link for a comprehensive list of this set’s articles, reports, and reviews.
Comprehensive List of Articles, Reports, & Reviews – Click Here
Price $1,085
Log in to the SAA for full journal access here.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas: Myths and Symbols
Published 2004
Fernando and Edgar Elorrieta Salazar introduce the world to a new and profound view of Andean myths that they have decoded and converted into history and reality by studying semiotics, aesthetics, and archaeoastronomy.
Cultural myths function as a way of conceptualizing and organizing something a group holds in common. Its connotation is ideological and serves to cause one to believe that this “something,” whether it be shared values, attitudes, or beliefs, is natural, normal, of common sense, and may even be valid. The Andean myths contain sacred history and material testimony that reflect current events. – Publisher
160 pages with over 200 color photos
Enlightened and Cultural Reading
If you are searching for a book that ties together Andean mythology, Incan Historical Data, and a new approach to those applications and relevancies today, this book will impress you.
“The Sacred Valley of the Incas is the newest addition to Andean myth and sacred symbolism with a unique cultural twist unexpected from a book of this genre. The Salazar brothers offer profound views of Andean myths that, with the help of native shamans and historians, have been able to decode through the application of semiotics, aesthetics, and archaeoastronomy”. – Healthy Warrior
You may also purchase this book from our Etsy platform here.
The Copper of Ancient Peru
A comprehensive source on pre-Columbian Peruvian copper. Specialists and collectors highly seek after them.
Oversized hardcover 9.5” by 12” coffee table book. It offers a brilliant display of objects chosen from premiere collections by well-established authors to be artistic and informative, as well as representative of copper’s critical place in Peruvian history. The work illustrates the sophisticated techniques and rich symbolism of the pre-Columbian Peruvian copper in a beautiful hardbound volume with exquisite photography. Excellent material analysts on Copper but also includes Gold and Silver.
Paloma Carcedo Muro; José Antonio de Lavalle Vargas; Rosario de Lavalle de Cárdenas
This is an oversized heavy book in excellent condition.
Five hundred ninety-six pp.; 207 color plates, interior glossary paper coating, index, Biblio. Text in Spanish and English. 1998. Cloth 23×30.5 cm.
Depicted on the dust jacket is the most feared Moche deity named Decapitator God—Mylar protector.
Note: We were fortunate to have acquired two unique pieces published in this book: Moche “Ai Apaec” Tumi and Moche “Symbolic Erotic Scene” Tumi.
Moche “Ai Apaec” Tumi can also be seen here.
World of Spirits in Pre-Columbian Ecuador
An elegant 17th century house on Cuenca Street in the historic center of Quito, long known as the Casa del Alabado (the House of Praise), is today an important museum of the same name. The Casa del Alabado Museum conserves some 5,000 archaeological objects created by the ancient peoples who occupied the territory known today as Ecuador and a finely honed selection of 500 pieces makes up the museum’s permanent exhibition. Here, through superb photographs and expert texts, this book brings this unique collection of Pre-Columbian art to a wider public, explaining the worldview and philosophy of indigenous Americans, in particular the importance of preserving life by maintaining the flow of cosmic energy and spiritual communication between the distinct worlds that made up their universe. The objects themselves, amazing in their aesthetic and technical excellence, are masterworks created by ancient artists in a range of raw materials.
By Ivan Cruz Cevallos
Pgs. 224
Out of Stock