Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Guanacaste Nicoya Region, ca. 1 to 500 CE. A wonderful example of a white stone mace head with its original archaeological surface. Often figures like these are over-polished, but this one retains a caliche-encrusted patina indicative of its age. This one has a cylindrical socket and one side carved into a fierce owl face with huge, round eyes and a long, pointed beak. The stone is a hard, marbled grey-white.

Based on many pottery figures from throughout the pre-Columbian world, figural maces were often symbolic objects, carried by rulers and gods as visible signs of their power. The level of craftsmanship on this beautiful piece indicates that it was worth the time put in to create it, and that a highly skilled artisan - possibly someone who specialized in making such objects - created it for someone wealthy. Perhaps this example was created for someone whose family was identified with owls or who had a special affinity for the animals.

Provenance: Ex-Private Massachusettes collection acquired before 1990

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#118904

Intact with original caliche encrusted surface; slight wear to form.