**Originally Listed At $400**

Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Huetar peoples, 16th century CE. Skillfully carved from a single piece of volcanic stone, a wonderful metate with a gently curved grinding table embellished with a scalloped lower edge, supported by a tripod base comprised of three cylindrical legs. This metate was created by the indigenous huetares (also called guetares or pacacuas) peoples who resided in the center of Costa Rica during the 16th century and were known for stone sculptures, metates, and altars. Metate technology developed initially for the utilitarian purpose of grinding herbs and food stables; however, metates evolved into meaningful ritual objects, some used to seat a departed lord on his journey to the afterlife. Size: 8.4" L x 5.7" W x 5.375" H (21.3 cm x 14.5 cm x 13.7 cm)

Provenance: private Raleigh, North Carolina, USA collection; purchased in Costa Rica in the 1950s by Jane H. Larson, art director associated with a science text-book series, the publication of which was associated with the University of Colorado

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#156251

One leg reattached to bottom, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor nicks and encrustations to legs and body. Nice earthen deposits throughout and remaining serrations around body.