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Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Atlantic Watershed region, ca. 1000 to 1400 CE. Almost 6 feet tall, a very large and adeptly carved volcanic stone figure of a headhunter warrior proudly holding a trophy head before his chest in his right hand and a weapon in his raised left hand. He stands nude save his fabulous trophy head belt, loincloth, and helmet/headdress - 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 suggests dynamic motion conjuring images of the gruesome activity preceding the moment captured by the sculptor. An incredible piece, sure to be a star in your collection! Size: 13" L x 29.75" W x 57.75" H (33 cm x 75.6 cm x 146.7 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 North Carolina, USA collection; discovered by John Baker 1970s
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#154587
Condition
Lower legs are reattached; one arm has been repaired in two places. Otherwise in very fine condition with a great weathered surface that has lost some detail, but the form is very well preserved.