Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Atlantic Watershed region, ca. 1000 to 1400 CE. Small but mighty, an adeptly carved volcanic stone figure of a headhunter warrior proudly holding a trophy head before his chest in both hands. He stands nude, facing forward with a stern "take no prisoners" expression and boldly delineated, abstract facial features - just look at those leering eyes! Despite the rigid stance of this gentleman, the figure conjures images of the gruesome activity preceding the moment captured by the sculptor. An incredible piece, sure to be a star in your collection! Size: 3" W x 4.75" H (7.6 cm x 12.1 cm)
Headhunting was a popular theme in ancient Costa Rica. Ethnographic accounts from the region tell of a tradition of taking trophy heads during warfare that dates to both before and after the Spanish Conquest. War was engaged in order to acquire resources and consolidate control by leaders much like today; however, it also had a supernatural element. The taking of the head was directly related to shamanism, as a means of protecting the community from any evil, including disease and sorcery. Furthermore, a shaman's head was most coveted, as it was believed to retain power due to the shaman's supernatural abilities to communicate with deities and ancestors.
Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000
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#160236
Condition
Left leg reattached with breakline just below the hip. Nicks/chips to peripheries of ears and other high-pointed areas. Normal surface wear commensurate with age, but incised details are still vivid. Scattered deposits grace the surface.