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HOME :
Pre-Columbian Art :
Art of Costa Rica : Human Effigy Vessel
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Human Effigy Vessel - PF.3140
Origin: Costa Rica (Guanacaste)
Circa: 1
AD
to 300
AD
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Terracotta
$6,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
During a time when hunting, gathering of wild
fruits and nuts and agriculture was the major
occupation of existence, it is no wonder that we
find this vessel which is probably a symbol of
fertility. Due to the tattoo or body paint on her
thigh area and seen on her chest and shoulders,
we may ask ourselves if this is merely a
decorative motif or if it has great symbolic
significance. The latter is perhaps the best
explanation because these ancient people viewed
their entire world as sacred. The stars, sun, moon
and mountains all had ritual and religious
significance. These symbols on this figure's body
may represent a constellation in the sky that
may have been an important recurring
constellation, which preceded the seasonal rains
in Costa Rica. By placing the constellations on
the figure, the person who held this vessel may
have been seen as the shaman who was
responsible for creating the constellations and
therefore, the seasonal rains. The shaman may
have used this vessel during a fertility ritual. It
may have held a special beverage or seeds of an
important crop that needed the rains for
fertilization and growth. Although the ravages of
time have passed and laid its mark on this
Ancient vessel, its aura of dignity and sculptural
monumentality have remained intact.
- (PF.3140)
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