A charming miniature Capacocha female effigy. They were made from the cherished orange Spondylus shell. They would have been covered in clothing and placed with the sacrificial child as an offering to the god. Nicely detailed throughout. Ca. 1400 AD. Height is 1.75″ / 4.44 cm—excellent condition with deposits.
Displayed on custom wood pedestal. Overall height is 5”/12.7 cm on stand.
Provenance: Ex M. Schmitt – Amiguet’s Ancient Art. Ex-Private California collection
Price $1,245
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Chancay Funerary Doll False Head
An outstanding Chancay funerary doll with a false head. It is finely made and unrivaled in size. It is composed of wrapped reeds, sticks, and vegetal fibers. The head is a wooden plank painted red, and the eyes are diamond-shaped in white with a separated nose in brown. Wears a yarn wig woven textile headdress embroidered with spiritual serpents. Gauze tunic and textile apron garment. Holds a textile bag with both hands, containing a large string ball. Measures 20″/50.80 cm in length. Extremely Rare. Chancay Valley of central Peru. Ca. 1000 – 1250 A.D.
Ex. Hunt Fine Arts, NYC.
The majority of these dolls have been found in graves. Presumably, it was not intended as toys but to serve the dead.
Price $5,200
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Costa Rican Stone Sukia
This finely crafted small sculpture, carved from rough volcanic stone, depicts a seated nude Sukia medicine man from the Guapiles region of Costa Rica. From 1000 to 1500 AD, this piece showcases the artistry and cultural significance of the region’s ancient inhabitants. The medicine man sits with arms crossed, a pose that likely held symbolic meaning, perhaps representing a figure of wisdom or authority within the community.
Despite its compact size, just under 5 inches tall, the sculpture captures remarkable detail, particularly in the finely rendered facial features. The artist’s skill is evident in the careful attention given to the expression and posture, which convey a sense of calm and introspection. The small platform on which the figure is seated adds to its stability and presence, making it a striking piece despite its modest dimensions.
The sculpture has sustained some damage to the front of both feet, likely during antiquity, which adds to its historical narrative. However, this minor wear is separate from the overall condition of the piece, which remains excellent. The slight imperfections only enhance its authenticity, serving as a reminder of its journey through centuries.
As an artifact, this Sukia sculpture offers a glimpse into the spiritual and social practices of the Guapiles region during the pre-Columbian era. It is a testament to the skill and cultural depth of the ancient artisans who created it. This piece would be valuable to any ancient art collection, offering historical significance and artistic beauty.
Price $695
Atlantic Watershed Standing Stone Figure
This impressive sculpture represents a standing nude woman, meticulously carved from rough volcanic coarse basalt stone. Originating from the Atlantic Watershed, Linea Vieja region of Costa Rica, dating from around 300 B.C. to 300 A.D., this piece is a remarkable example of early pre-Columbian artistry. The figure stands solidly on her wide feet, exuding a sense of stability and presence. Her posture, with both hands supporting her breasts, symbolizes fertility, a common theme in ancient art that underscores the cultural significance of womanhood and reproduction.
The figure’s coiffure, a lengthy and straight hairstyle that falls gracefully to her waist, adds a refined touch to the otherwise rugged material. This careful attention to detail suggests that the artist focused on the symbolic aspects and aimed to capture the elegance and beauty of the female form. The artist carved the piece in the round, making it fully three-dimensional and allowing it to be appreciated from any angle, which enhances its overall impact as a stand-alone work of art.
Standing at a substantial 16 inches in height, this sculpture is hefty and commanding. Its fine-to-change condition speaks to the quality of the basalt stone and the craftsmanship involved in its creation. Despite its age, the sculpture has retained its integrity and continues to convey its time’s cultural and spiritual values.
This artifact would make a significant addition to any collection. It offers a glimpse into ancient Costa Rican society and serves as a powerful symbol of fertility and womanhood. Its size, condition, and historical importance make it a valuable and visually striking piece of pre-Columbian art.
Price $1,850
Nicoya Teeth, Stone and Shell Choker
This stunning, colorful choker necklace is from the ancient Nicoya region of Costa Rica. It is a remarkable example of pre-Columbian jewelry artistry, dating back to approximately 100 BC—500 AD. It showcases a harmonious blend of natural elements and vibrant colors, symbolizing the region’s rich cultural heritage.
At the heart of the choker is a light-colored tube stone, which serves as the central focal point of the piece. This stone is elegantly flanked on both sides by twelve Tigrillo canines, with six on each side. The Tigrillo, a small wild cat native to Central and South America, was often revered for its strength and agility, making these canines decorative and potentially symbolic in ancient Costa Rican society. The largest of these canines measures an impressive 1.25 inches (2.92 cm), adding to the choker’s striking visual appeal.
Various colored stones, including jadeite and spondylus shells, enhance the natural beauty of the canines. Jadeite, a stone of great significance in Mesoamerican culture, was often associated with life, fertility, and power. The deep green jadeite stones contrast with the brilliant orange Spondylus shells, which were highly valued in pre-Columbian times for their rarity, vibrant color, and symbolic significance. Combining these materials creates a vivid and captivating aesthetic that reflects the skill and creativity of the ancient artisans.
The choker has been carefully re-strung to an approximate length of 14 inches (35.56 cm), ensuring its durability and wearability in the modern day. This process respects the original design while allowing the piece to be comfortably worn or displayed. Additionally, the choker can be re-designed to accommodate the specific preferences of the wearer, offering a unique opportunity to personalize a piece of ancient history.
This extraordinary choker is a beautiful piece of jewelry and a tangible connection to the past, offering insight into the craftsmanship, symbolism, and cultural practices of ancient Costa Rica. Its vibrant colors, natural materials, and historical significance make it a rare and valuable addition to any collection.
Riker-style display box included.
Provenance: Kent Bond Gallery, Tampa, Florida
Price $1,200
Mezcala Stone Head Pendant
Precolumbian Mezcala semiabstract stone faces represent intricately carved artifacts from the Mezcala culture, distinguished by a distinctive artistic idiom. Characterized by a fusion of realism and artistic interpretation, these stone faces intricately capture facial features in a stylized manner. Emblematic of the Mezcala civilization’s ritualistic milieu, these artifacts are a testament to this ancient Mesoamerican society’s cultural and artistic proclivities, whose cultural zenith extended from approximately 700 B.C. to 200 A.D.
This attractive head pendant is carved from a speckled dark green stone and exhibits embellished relief with semiabstract facial features. Triangular in shape with an angled top. A suspension hole was drilled in the upper rim, with an additional deep startup hole below it. Guerrero, Balsas River region, Mexico. Ca. 300 B.C.
Measures: 2.75″. Intact in excellent condition.
Provenance: W. Fiore, Westfield, NJ
Note: This display stand is for illustrative purposes only. A custom stand can be requested free of charge with a production lead time of 10 days.
Price $1,225
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Chimú Blackware Double Stirrup Vessel
Pre-Columbian Andean communities utilized decorations to convey religious sentiments, express devotion to gods, showcase individual or community identity, and symbolize personal values and beliefs. Animals held particular importance in Andean mythology and were commonly featured in their decorative expressions.
This is a lovely Chimú black-ware mold-made double stirrup vessel with a bridge handle. The body has decorations and features a crescent headdress figure tethering two llamas or deer surrounded by dots in relief. The design alternates and repeats around the bottle’s circumference—measuring 7.5″ in height.
Condition: Rim and surface chip on the lower portion of the body, otherwise in excellent state. Mineral deposits throughout.
Provenance: Ex R. Saint, Bridgeport Ct.
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Guanacaste-Nicoya Jade Bird-Celt Pendant
Pre-Columbian Jade from Costa Rica. Bird celt with a smoothly flowing shape sets off admirably the quality of the stone and its polish. Gorgeous pale sea-green jade with veins of white. Rounded triangles in relief indicate wings. Eyes are set in a broad groove, surrounded by a rim that resembles spectacles, and further emphasized by an incised line that continues onto the beak. A pair of wide knobs on the head generally gives a resemblance to the local Nicoya great horned owl. The back displays a flat sawed surface, partially smoothed with a broken septum. Additionally, there are two drilled holes on each side of the head, allowing for suspension and wear of this object.
H. 4.125”/10.48 cm. Choice to near choice condition. Guanacaste-Nicoya region, Costa Rica. Ca. 500 B.C. – 500 A.D.
Price $5,200
Impressive Black Chimú Aryballos
An impressive black Chimú aryballos. Attractive and well-defined. Each squarish quadrant has embossed stylistic birds incorporated on the upper half with tiny raised dot elements in the contrasting background. Traditional pointed bottom, side loop handles, and a simple center lug. These vessels were molded, and quality diminished with production. These vessel impressions are sharp and of higher caliber, suggesting first casts and ceremonial use. To achieve this shiny black finish, firing at a high temperature in a closed kiln was used along with stone burnishing.
Condition: Choice
Peru. Ca 15th century. Measures 8″/20.32cm, respectively
As with all ceramics from these periods, they met two functions: simple daily domestic use with less finishing and ceremonial vessels with higher aesthetic commitment.
Price $875
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Fine Lambayeque Stirrup Vessel
A Lambayeque stirrup vessel modeled with the image of the deity Naymlap, legendary hero king. A thick denticulated headband forms the base of the upper part of the spout. Three-tier tasseled ear ornaments hang down his chest. A pair of thick zoomorphic imagery, possibility felines, rests on his shoulders. A long-tailed monkey figure lays on the ribbon-like stirrup handle. Measures 7.5”/ 15.24 cm in height. Overall, it is painted with a cream slip with a faint accent of red coloring. Dendrite spotting throughout. The middle section of the handle has been reattached with restoration over break. West Coast Peru. Ca. 800 A.D.
Price $1,200
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases