The Ancient Costa Ricans share with the
Egyptians the remarkable ability of making
functional objects that have a ceremonial
purpose. The metate was used to grind corn and
other foods. It was also a symbol of wealth and
power for the noble classes whose absolute
control made the growing and harvesting of food
possible. Going a step further, certain metates
had a purely ceremonial use, particularly ones
such as this very lovely example. A curved top or
plate indicates this metate was made in the
Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone. When placed upright it
would have been suitable for grinding food for
ritual ceremonies. However, turned onto its end
an entirely different perspective appears. Carved
at the bottom of one leg is a very fine head, with
the upper section acting as a sort of conical
headdress. The two bottom legs can be
interpreted as the person's own legs; while the
elaborate pattern on the background may be
seen as flowing hair, or a beautiful cloak. The
low-relief carving is an extraordinary blending of
interlacing geometric shapes, perhaps
representing the woven mat that was a common
sign of authority in Meso-America. No matter,
which way this metate is turned, it is suitable for
a royal resistance as property of a king.
- (PF.4868)
|
