Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Guanacaste-Nicoya, Atlantic Watershed Zone, ca. 300 to 700 CE. Carved from a single piece of volcanic stone, a mesmerizing deity or male shaman wearing a crocodile mask, standing with hands to abdomen and wearing a tiered headdress that is adorned by vertical 'beads' or 'feathers' as a pan flute falls onto his chest. He stands proudly atop straight legs with prominent knee caps and presents a fantastical visage with sunken, annular eyes and a lengthy, rectangular snout with flaring nostrils. Flanking his fang-bearing mouth are sizable, perforated ears, which most likely once held decorative ornaments to further embellish the figure. A small phallus is exposed just below his lovely instrument. Statues such as this one may have been used in shrines, or to decorate house platforms at large settlements in the central Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. Note the artist's careful attention to detail, as can be seen in his skillfully delineated toes and fingers! Size: 8.875" W x 18.125" H (22.5 cm x 46 cm)

Iconographic references to crocodiles and other animals known to exhibit predatory, aggressive, and oftentimes dangerous behaviors were quite popular in the Pre-Columbian world. However, the crocodilian order, comprised of crocodiles, smaller alligators, and yet smaller caimans (all treated similarly in Pre-Columbian mythology) was especially symbolic to the ancients of the Americas. The crocodile being the oldest (approximately 55 million years old) was understood as a crocodilian earth monster and is oftentimes shown giving rise to what was known as the World Tree. Partial to a watery habitat, the crocodile is also a metaphor for fertility.

See a similar volcanic stone male figure wearing a crocodile mask at the Flint Institute of Arts in Flint, Michigan (accession number 2007.145). He assumes the same pose as this piece and a similar headdress.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#164572

Minor area of loss to proper right shoulder. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice earthen deposits throughout.