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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.3208
Origin: Guanacaste-Nicoya Zone, Costa Rica
Circa: 500
AD
to 800
AD
Dimensions:
8" (20.3cm) high
x 6.75" (17.1cm) wide
Collection: Pre-Columbian
Style: Guanacaste-Nicoya
Medium: Terracotta
Location: United States
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| Description |
There is a powerful aura, which surrounds this
vessel with a mysterious story. The agonized
expression and the rigidly drawn mouth suggest
that this is a prisoner or sacrificial victim. The
facial - paint motifs recall alligator symbols. The
alligator motif is clearer on the vessel collar and
on the back. 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 had won.
- (PF.3208)
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