Donated By: Donick Cary, Emmy-Award winning writer/producer (Letterman /Simpsons / Parks and Recreation /Silicon Valley)

Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, ca. 500 to 800 CE. A round, grey, igneous stone metate with a circular grinding space that stands atop four supporting monkeys, each carved in openwork style with their arms raised to hold the disc surface. The monkeys are similarly carved, with round bellies and proportionally large heads that have facial details carved into them. The rim of the disc is ringed with relief carvings of interlocking diamonds that look to the modern eye like repeated infinity or hourglass symbols. Size: 13.8" W x 9.3" H (35.1 cm x 23.6 cm)

These monkeys are probably modeled on the native spider monkey, known for being inquisitive and chattering. The monkey image is associated with the pre-Columbian art of Central America; they are, like this one, often given large foreheads and small flat noses. They were figures of fun, but also are often associated with creation myths both in Central America and in the Mayan world, suggesting an almost evolutionary understanding of the monkey/human relationship. Various myths recount earlier worlds inhabited by monkeys rather than humans that were destroyed by cataclysms, making monkeys like proto-humans. Monkeys were often associated with writing and art, perhaps because of their observed intelligence.

Provenance: private D. C. collection, California, USA; D. C. is an Emmy Award winning Hollywood writer and Executive Producer, collected before 2000; ex Arte Primitivo Gallery, December 1998, lot 162; ex Phil Dade collection

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#126505

Two repaired chips from edge, with some wear to form, but nicely preserved detail.

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Making music happen since 2009…

Today, Musack's mission is to give kids and teens a voice through music by providing guitars, drums, and support for music teachers - wherever the need arises.

But back in 2009, Emmy-Award winning writer/producer Donick Cary (Letterman /Simpsons / Parks and Recreation /Silicon Valley) began Musack with a simple vision - raise money to fund musical programs for his hometown high school on Nantucket Island. After a rash of teen suicides on the island, Donick thought about how he and his friends got through their teen years. Music.

Musack continues to make music happen around the world with support from people like you. All lots offered for sale in today’s fundraising auction have been donated by celebrities, non-celebrities, and local businesses. Help us help our kids - bid high, bid often!

Donick Cary
President, Musack.org

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