Pre-Columbian, South America, Ecuador, Valdivian culture, ca. 2300 to 2000 BCE. A hand-carved volcanic tuff stone idol of a highly abstract form depicting what scholars believe to be an owl. The relatively ovoid composition exhibits deeply incised grooves that create the rectangular body, downward 'wings,' and cuboid head with a pair of enormous eyes. Boasting a smooth, gray-beige stone color, this intriguing figure was made Valdivian artisans using string-cutting technology and painstaking attention to detail. Size: 3.8" W x 8.1" H (9.7 cm x 20.6 cm)

Ancient stone stelae from Ecuador, like this example, are some of the oldest stone sculptures known to exist in the Americas, dating as far back as 3500 BCE. Certainly, each stele is unique; however, they do share a few common characteristics. They are usually carved from a pearly grey or beige stone and are for the most part "blockish" in form. The four most prominent themes of ancient Valdivian artistry include owls like this example, the "serpent/arrow," the sun chart, and the star chart.

Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA acquired prior to 2000

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#169355

Repaired from 3 large pieces, with resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Minor nicks and abrasions to body and head, with light encrustations. Nice preservation to overall form.