US DOLLAR
EURO
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR
CANADIAN DOLLAR
POUND STERLING
Product Description
These carved stone figures of a man and woman are from the Greater Nicoya Pre-Columbian culture of Central America. Each was carved from a single block of vesicular basalt which is impressive considering the open areas under the arms, and long legs. They are INTACT with the female being in perfect and complete condition and the male figure, with only the right foot and ankle having been restored. Seldom to stone figures with such fragile designs survive as these have. Both make up an intriguing set. An ancient effigy set of lovers, these would make a perfect gift for a newlywed couple or those having an anniversary.
HISTORY
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.
