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Three-pointers are amongst the most distinctive
and fascinating of Taino art forms. Many feature
anthropomorphic or zoomorphic designs of
great complexity and their exact meaning is still
disputed by scholars today. Carved from a dense,
hard stone, this example depicts a human face,
positioned as if it were lying on its back looking
upwards. Although not an exact replica of a
skull, the facial features, particularly the sunken
eye sockets and wide mouth, are suggestive of a
skeletal form. A raised band, incised with
geometric motifs, probably represent a
headdress of some kind.
The Taino culture flourished in the Caribbean
c.1200-1500. The arrival of the Spanish in 1492
resulted in its rapid decline but objects such as
this testify to the high quality of craftsmanship.
The Taino left no written language so our
knowledge about them derives solely from
archaeology and the testimonials of the Spanish
settlers. As a result, although significant
numbers of three-pointers survive, their precise
function within Taino society is unclear. The
central cone of these triangular objects has been
interpreted in a variety of ways. Suggestions
include manioc shoots (one of the main crops of
the Taino), volcanoes, the roofs of Taino houses,
phalluses and the human breast. None of these
theories has been universally accepted and the
precise origins of the shape are likely to remain a
mystery. Despite this many scholars agree that
these ceremonial objects were symbols of power
and fertility. This seems to be supported by a
letter written by Columbus in which he reports
on his findings among the Taino, ‘Equally the
majority of caciques (chiefs) have three stones to
which they and their people have great devotion.
One they say is for the fertility of the grain and
vegetables that they grow; the next for mothers
to give birth without pain, and the third for the
water and sun when they have need.’ (AM)
- (AM.0082)
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