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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Terracotta Trophy Heads : Guanacaste-Nicoya Terracotta Trophy Head
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Guanacaste-Nicoya Terracotta Trophy Head - PF.3209
Origin: Guanacaste, Nicoya, Costa Rica
Circa: 500
AD
to 800
AD
Dimensions:
9.75" (24.8cm) high
x 7" (17.8cm) wide
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Terracotta
$9,600.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
There is a powerful aura, which surrounds this
vessel with a mysterious story. The black masked
eyes and grimacing mouth convey suffering or
imprisonment. The alligator motif
is clearer. It is placed on the vessel collar above
parallel, wavy lines, which may symbolize water.
During this period between 500AD and 800AD,
Nicoya was defined as a buffer zone between
Mesoamerica and tropical-forest cultures of the
southern regions. There
were sporadic intergroup resource competition
and warfare. Head hunting and sacrifice of
captives was common and may be indicative of
population pressure or foreign intruders.
Occasionally, a strong leader arose to form
political control and defensive strategy. The
leader organized several centers into an alliance
for brief periods. Such a powerful leader may
have once possessed this vessel in remembrance
of the wars that he has won.
- (PF.3209)
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