PC017 - PRE-COLUMBIAN HEAD-HUNTING TROPHY HEAD EFFIGY POT OF THE GREATER NICOYA CULTURE

Product Description

ITEM # 

PC017

ID

Vessel

FOUND

Atlantic Watershed
 - Central America

AGE

Period IV:
  300 B.C. - 500 A.D.

SIZE

6" diameter x 5.5" tall

CONDITION

REPAIRED FROM LARGE
FRAGMENTS.  LEFT EYE
RESTORED.  SEDIMENT
DEPOSITS INTACT.

NOTE

TROPHY VESSEL OF A
DECAPITATED HEAD
SHOWING EVIDENCE OF
EARLY HEAD-HUNTING 
BY THIS CULTURE.
EARLY EXAMPLE WITH 
LATER PERIOD HEAD POTS
BEING MORE ELABORATELY
PAINTED.  

FANTASTIC SPECIMEN!!

Comes with a certificate of
authenticity / information sheet

This is a RARE early version of later period painted and more elaborately stylized trophy head vessels from the Greater Nicoya Pre-Columbian Culture.  This archaeological culture prevailed in the area of Latin America comprising the far southwestern coastal region of Honduras, the far northwestern Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica and the Pacific side of coastal Nicaragua.  This Indian culture thrived for many centuries before the first Spanish explorers made contact around 1500 A.D..  The people had no written language but spoke Nahuatl and had continual contact with the Aztec (Mexica) Indians of Central Mexico.  The Gran Nicoya pottery includes many beautiful designs incorporating a variety of different mammals, reptiles and amphibians in effigy pieces.  Their pottery is also known for complex glyph-like painted decorations.

This is a beautiful example of rarer Period IV pottery, typified by its coil-built (not thrown on a wheel) method of manufacture and its very low firing point which is very evident in the soft texture and earthy odor of this extraordinary example.  In the first 500 to 600 years A.D., resources became low as populations grew.  Tribes in this region practiced head-hunting and victim sacrifice in their warfare.  Perhaps, a pot like this represented an enemy head and was used for votive or ceremonial purposes.  We can see features that are unique to this example by its more simplistic and rudimentary sculptural style compared to later period examples.  The porous ceramic is unlike later examples that were fired in higher heat kilns.  We also see traits in this example that were carried forward in later designs, such as the dotted depressions in the lips, large cat eyes and expression-less face.

Repair and restoration from assembly of large fragments is noted.  Left eye has been reconstructed and several cracks stabilized.  Minor loss to left ear but otherwise complete and a splendid specimen that makes for a very commanding presence with its upward view and blank stare.  Includes our written unconditional lifetime certificate of GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY.

The Greater Nicoya Pre-Columbian Culture is an archaeological culture that prevailed in the area of Latin America comprising the far southwestern coastal region of Honduras, the far northwestern Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica and the Pacific side of coastal Nicaragua.  This indigenous Indian culture thrived for many centuries before the first Spanish explorers made contact around 1500 A.D..  The people had no written language but spoke Nahuatl and had continual contact with the Aztec (Mexica) Indians of Central Mexico.  The Gran Nicoya culture included many beautiful designs incorporating a variety of different mammals, reptiles and amphibians in effigy pieces.  Their pottery is also known for complex glyph-like painted decorations.  In the first 500 to 600 years A.D., resources became low as populations grew and warfare become increasingly evident.   Tribes in this region practiced head-hunting and victim sacrifice in their warfare.