**Originally Listed At $1800**

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica / Panama, ca. 100 to 500 CE. An evocative human "trophy" head, hand-carved from volcanic stone, strongly rendered with a solemn expression featuring sizable, closed eyes, a prominent arched brow line leading to a straight, broad nose and an open mouth exposing gritted teeth, all flanked by a pair of large relatively naturalistic ears. It is possible that this trophy head was created to represent a captured enemy who was sacrificed in order to bring about agricultural fertility. His flat-topped headdress is elaborately carved with linear and geometric motifs, likely to signify his elite social rank. His luxurious crown of curls is quite distinguished, and likely signified his elite rank. A fascinating reminder of the practice of taking trophy heads in ancient Costa Rica, replete with impressive artistry and technique as well as layers of historical meaning. Size: 7.5" W x 8.6" H (19 cm x 21.8 cm)

The practice of taking human heads for sacrifice to bring about agricultural prosperity and as warfare trophies was ubiquitous throughout Pre-Columbian Costa Rica. Traditionally "headhunting" has been interpreted as a somewhat incidental rather than central warfare practice; however, recent scholarship has suggested that headhunting added a significant magical and supernatural dimension to warfare and sacrifice. Each severed head was imbued with specific meaning and the act of taking the head was "consecrated and commemorated in some form" according to anthropologist and professor John W. Hoopes ("Sorcery and the Taking of Heads in Ancient Costa Rica" 2007). One look at this trophy head confirms Professor Hoopes theory. Clearly this piece exemplifies the practice of sacred commemoration!

Provenance: private Lexington, Kentucky, USA collection; ex-Andrew Jones collection; ex-Raymond Enkeboll collection, Los Angeles, California, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#176974

Small chips to nose and proper right ear, as well as expected nicks and abrasions. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive preservation of detail.