Pre-Columbian, Panama, Diquis, Ca. 500 to 1000 CE. The practice of taking human heads 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. 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! Large, quite sculptural, finely carved and with exceptional presence! Carved of volcanic stone with short neck, jutting lower jaw, long thin nose, eyes showing he is in a deep eternal sleep, neat rows of plaited hair on top and large rounded ears. Measuring just under 10" H, he is far larger and finer than most examples on the market. 9.00"L x 9.75"W x 6.75"H (22.86 L x 24.77 W x 17.15 H cm)

Provenance: Ex-James Byrnes collection. James B. Byrnes was the first curator of modern and contemporary art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (1946-1952).

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.

Intact and just about choice with very minor chipping here or there.