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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Saurian Deities : Guanacaste-Nicoya Vessel in the Form of a Saurian Deity
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Guanacaste-Nicoya Vessel in the Form of a Saurian Deity - PF.4122
Origin: Guanacaste, Nicoya, Costa Rica
Circa: 1000
AD
to 1350
AD
Dimensions:
13.5" (34.3cm) high
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Terracotta
Location: United States
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| Description |
The mystical figure that stands before us most
likely depicts a shaman wearing a zoomorphic
mask. The mask consists of an alligator snout
and coffee bean eyes with heavy eyelids.
Perforated edges surround the entire mask with
larger triangular-like projections placed at each
corner. The snout has remnants of white paint
still intact. Otherwise, the whole figure is
covered in a dark-brown slip. The elaborate
white-filled engraved lines may represent body
tattooing, cloaks or skins. The hands are placed
at the waist and a tripod supports the entire
zoomorphic effigy vessel. The tripod consists of
two of the figure's legs and a third that is a
startling creature! The interpretation of this
figure remains an enigma, but we can be certain
it played an important role during ritual and is
part of a great mythological framework.
- (PF.4122)
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