Depicted in a kneeling position the woman's legs
are slightly apart to accommodate a wide
loincloth striped red and white. Her hands are
placed firmly on the corner of waist and thighs,
her arms akimbo, her head and back very erect.
The highly expressive face has appliquéd eyes,
thick lips ringed in black, earspools and a thin
semi-circular white line sweeping on both sides
from the bridge of the nose, under the eyes, to
the tip of the ears, with inverted triangles at the
end. An unusual cap, (or perhaps a type of
helmet), has a deep ridge down the center
decorated with X's, with circles ornamenting
either side. A tight fitting necklace alternates
rectangular segments with round beads. Body
painting is relatively sparse, though very elegant,
utilizing white slip, with the prominent breasts
encircled and designs on the thighs and upper
arms. Given the stately posture, intense eyes and
ritual nature of ornamentation, this woman is
most likely a high-ranking priestess/shaman
depicted in a position of paying homage to a
higher force-- either a king or gods. Her nobility
and dignity of demeanor combined with superb
artistry places this sculpture among the most
profound and beautiful yet discovered from
Costa Rica's ancient past.
- (PF.4355)
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