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HOME : Pre-Columbian Art : Costa Rican Animal Sculptures : Atlantic Watershed Sculpture of a Tapir

Atlantic Watershed Sculpture of a Tapir - PF.4344
Origin: Costa Rica
Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD

Collection: Pre-Columbian
Medium: Terracotta

Location: United States

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The mysteries of Ancient Meso-America echoes at us through the magnificent works of art from the Costa Rican craftsmanship. These treasures of long ago are our only connection with the lives of the men and women who left the world a legacy unsurpassed in creativity, craftsmanship and refinement. The artisans of Ancient Costa Rica are a unique group with an amazing ability to breath life into their art works. An excellent example comes alive before our very eyes in a rare example of a tapir from the Atlantic watershed region of Costa Rica. Four hollow mamma form legs that are drawn out into a stubby tail at one end support this figure’s elliptical body. Its head has a charming pig-like snout, ridged slit eyes and projecting ears with reed circle openings. The lovely surface is zoned with buff-orange slip and dark red-brown and incised with lines forming bands edged with incised triangles filled with oblique lines usually associated with the alligator motif and seen on Castillo engraved/incised ceramics. A rectangular patch on the back is pecked with dots. A small opening in the back near the head and round openings through the neck probably served as air vents during firing. - (PF.4344)

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