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THBAncient Costa Rican / Panamanian Basalt Trophy Head
Lot 117d
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,400 - $3,500
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| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Feb 18, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-02-18 10:00:00
2021-02-18 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-6373
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (356)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica/Panama, ca. 100 to 500 CE. A human "trophy" head, hand-carved from volcanic stone, strongly rendered with a solemn expression featuring large closed coffee bean shaped eyes, a prominent arched browline leading to a straight, broad nose, a closed mouth, large relatively naturalistic ears, and a fancy coiffure of meticulously rendered curls. It is possible that this trophy head was created to represent a captured enemy who was sacrificed in order to bring about agricultural fertility. His luxurious crown of curls is quite distinguished, and likely signified his elite rank. A fascinating reminder of the practice of taking trophy heads in ancient Costa Rica, replete with impressive artistry and technique as well as layers of historical meaning. Size: 7" L x 5.5" W x 7.375" H (17.8 cm x 14 cm x 18.7 cm)
The practice of taking human heads for sacrifice to bring about agricultural prosperity and as warfare trophies was ubiquitous throughout Pre-Columbian Costa Rica. Traditionally "headhunting" has been interpreted as a somewhat incidental rather than central warfare practice; however, recent scholarship has suggested that headhunting added a significant magical and supernatural dimension to warfare and sacrifice. Each severed head was imbued with specific meaning and the act of taking the head was "consecrated and commemorated in some form" according to anthropologist and professor John W. Hoopes ("Sorcery and the Taking of Heads in Ancient Costa Rica" 2007). One look at this trophy head confirms Professor Hoopes theory. Clearly this piece exemplifies the practice of sacred commemoration!
Provenance: ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired prior to 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#162052Nicks/chips to peripheries of nose, ears, neck, jawline, cheeks, and other high-pointed areas. Otherwise intact and excellent with nice mineral deposits gracing areas of the surface.Condition
- Shipping Info
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