Fine important ancestral stones idols from the Bahia culture, Ecuador. Ca. 500-500 A.D. Curved tusk-like shape with anthropomorphic features incised on the front. Faces have ovoid eyes, mouth and a parallel sided nose. Horizontal band(s) on top of the head depict crowns. Long slender arms to their sides with hands slightly elevated to the chest in a praying state. Found both on the Island of La Plata and in habitation sites in Manabi. Valdivian flat plaques (Palmer Stone) by contrast are similar, but lack the distinctive rounded curved tusk-like shape. Rare

Measures:  A - 6.5”/16.51 cm.  $2,850

                B - 6.0”/15.24 cm.  $2,850

               C - 7.3”/18.41 cm.  $2,750

These unique figurines were deposited in small clusters. Buried upright in small shallow holes exposing only their heads. Indication of offerings or part of some kind of ritual. 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 and/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 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