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THBCosta Rican Stone Shaman w/ Crocodile Mask
Lot 213
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:
$4,000 - $6,000
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $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
Jul 22, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-07-22 10:00:00
2021-07-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Summer Antiquities & Ethnographic Art Auction
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/summer-antiquities-ethnographic-art-auction-7245
Travel around the world and back in time...and be amazed at the treasures you will find! Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fossils, Fine Art, much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Travel around the world and back in time...and be amazed at the treasures you will find! Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fossils, Fine Art, much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (360)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Guanacaste-Nicoya, Atlantic Watershed Zone, ca. 300 to 700 CE. Carved from a single piece of volcanic stone, a mesmerizing deity or male shaman wearing a crocodile mask, standing with hands to abdomen and wearing a tiered headdress that is adorned by vertical 'beads' or 'feathers' as a pan flute falls onto his chest. He stands proudly atop straight legs with prominent knee caps and presents a fantastical visage with sunken, annular eyes and a lengthy, rectangular snout with flaring nostrils. Flanking his fang-bearing mouth are sizable, perforated ears, which most likely once held decorative ornaments to further embellish the figure. A small phallus is exposed just below his lovely instrument. Statues such as this one may have been used in shrines, or to decorate house platforms at large settlements in the central Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. Note the artist's careful attention to detail, as can be seen in his skillfully delineated toes and fingers! Size: 8.875" W x 18.125" H (22.5 cm x 46 cm)
Iconographic references to crocodiles and other animals known to exhibit predatory, aggressive, and oftentimes dangerous behaviors were quite popular in the Pre-Columbian world. However, the crocodilian order, comprised of crocodiles, smaller alligators, and yet smaller caimans (all treated similarly in Pre-Columbian mythology) was especially symbolic to the ancients of the Americas. The crocodile being the oldest (approximately 55 million years old) was understood as a crocodilian earth monster and is oftentimes shown giving rise to what was known as the World Tree. Partial to a watery habitat, the crocodile is also a metaphor for fertility.
See a similar volcanic stone male figure wearing a crocodile mask at the Flint Institute of Arts in Flint, Michigan (accession number 2007.145). He assumes the same pose as this piece and a similar headdress.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
#164572Minor area of loss to proper right shoulder. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice earthen deposits throughout.Condition
- Shipping Info
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