In this oval-shaped mask with slit -open eyes
strikes the viewers with its strong impression.
The unique basalt mask shows beautifully
sculpted long, straight nose and large ears. And
the center of the head is divided by a small
jaguar figure crawling down the forehead of the
mask. The marvelous mask is sculpted in an
ideally stylized manner, with incision lines
defining the combed hair of the mask. Not only is
the stone mask impressionable but the small
jaguar on the forehead of the mask is also
remarkable--its piercing round eyes seem to
penetrate through the viewers' eyes looking at
the mask. Moreover, the artist of this beautiful
work emphasized the small jaguar's tail so that it
looks like a crown or a headdress on the mask.
Such marvelous mask with jaguar figure most
likely had a very important function in ancient
Costa Rica--perhaps it was sculpted for
chieftains or shamans for ceremonial purposes.
The jaguar being one of the most powerful gods
in Ancient Meso-America, this mask probably
symbolized the highest power, rank, and
spiritual energy. Looking at the mask, one could
imagine rituals and ceremonies in which a
person wearing the unique mask performed
magical deeds.
- (PF.3078)
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