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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Skull Masks and Sculptures : Stone Skull Maskette
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Stone Skull Maskette - CK.0692
Origin: Costa Rica
Dimensions:
5.125" (13.0cm) high
x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Stone
$9,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
In general, Pre-Columbian Mesoamericans
believed that the universe embraced the heavens
and underworld as one. There was no separation
between the terrestrial world and the realm of
the supernatural. Everyday experience
incorporated these two worlds together; it was a
basic aspect of their reality. Thus, the world of
the dead was closely integrated into the world of
the living. Deceased ancestors were believed to
have powerful influences upon the living. Major
festivals honored the dead. Most likely, this mask
represented the death deity and would have been
worn in such an elaborate ceremony. By
appeasing the death deity through ritual, the
ancient Costa Ricans may have felt that their
ancestors would be safe in the Underworld and
in turn have favorable influences upon the living.
Or perhaps, the death deity acted as an
intermediary for the humans to communicate
with the deceased. Due to their perception of the
unity of the terrestrial worlds and the Underworld
as one, we can only imagine that this mask and
the ritual performances in honor of the death
deity had good intentions for all: the gods,
humans and the dead.
- (CK.0692)
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