The sheer delight of this figurine makes her a
focus for collectors who seek an alternative to
the iconographically dense art of the Maya or
Aztecs. Lively and content, she stands gallantly
with her hands resting firmly at her waist. Either
an important chieftess or shaman-chieftess,
there are remarkable incised geometric designs
covering her. The designs may represent the
sacred web of the cosmos with east-west and
north-south directions or have specific religious
or political connotation. The incisions have been
richly preserved for our enjoyment and
admiration today. Her ear spools, bracelets and
anklets were probably made of the most
precious materials: jade, serpentine, or other
greenstones, along with obsidian or gold. All of
which had symbolism and meaning to the
Ancient inhabitants of Costa Rica. During
ceremonial rituals and festivities, this ancient
figurine was likely to have been set on an altar or
next to other sacred and significant relics. She
stands before us as a witness of long forgotten
sacred ceremonies with her lips slightly opened
ready to share her testimony of a great and
prosperous culture.
- (PF.3124)
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