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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Stone Trophy Heads : Guanacaste-Nicoya Basalt Trophy Head
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Guanacaste-Nicoya Basalt Trophy Head - PF.3544
Origin: Guanacaste, Nicoya, Costa Rica
Circa: 500
AD
to 1000
AD
Dimensions:
11.75" (29.8cm) high
x 8" (20.3cm) wide
x 10" (25.4cm) depth
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Basalt
Location: United States
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| Description |
This powerful depiction of a male head remains
something of a mystery for it is in keeping with
the common renderings of 'trophy heads' which
represented the sacrificial beheading of a
captive, the piece's very weight and hollow
nature are puzzling. Often a trophy head would
be ceremonially mounted on a pole and carried
during rituals. However, the heavy and
cumbersome basalt does not lend itself well to
this function. Further, the execution of the eyes
is uncommon. They were usually represented as
either sewn shut or as opened, not hollowed out.
This leads to speculation that this head was
ritualistically employed as a cover to an incense
burner issuing smoke from the opened mouth
and eye sockets. Other features of the head are
more familiar such as the highly
conventionalized ears and 'woven' headband and
topknot. This stands as both a remarkable piece
of art as well as a wonderfully successful
example of Costa Rican ingenuity and spirit.
- (PF.3544)
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