Monumental zoomorphic-effigy grinding stones
such as this magnificent stone jaguar metate
were the most important ritual objects of their
time in Costa Rica. Exquisitely carved from a
single piece of volcanic rock, these metates
exhibit remarkably graceful lines and proportion.
Like all mankind, the Ancient Costa Ricans
sought to relieve the uncertainty of death. This
quest for immortality and reverence for
ancestors led to elaborate burial practices. The
metate as a grinding stone in every-day life had
the transformative 'power' to change a seed or
kernel into flour. Because of this power, it
became a symbol of transformation in the
human life cycle. When the metate was placed in
a tomb it represented the human transformation
of rebirth, the beginning of a new life cycle. This
striking metate, carved in the stylized shape of a
jaguar displays yet another symbol of extreme
importance to Ancient Costa Rican society. The
jaguar was regarded as the most powerful animal
in the world, to be honored and revered; it even
had certain divine characteristics. In mythology,
the most important God, Maira, became the sun
during the day, making the great journey from
east to west across the lands. At night, however,
Maira assumed the form of a jaguar and
stealthily made his way from the west back to
the east, where in the morning he would rise
again in the form of the sun. These
commanding attributes of transformation and
power are artistically portrayed in this stunning
jaguar metate. The powerfully carved head with
its snarling teeth, the curled tail that appears to
be twitching dynamically from side to side, the
slightly bent legs with their skillfully carved
patterns, all combine to give this feline a
timeless aura of respect and power, befitting its
ancient ceremonial function. As we behold this
feline creature today we realize that the
reverence with which this metate was afforded in
antiquity clearly extends into the present. HT.
22cm(8IN): L. 68cm(26.75In)
- (PF.2369)
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