Costa Rican stonework represents some of the finest craftsmanship in all of the Pre-Columbian Americas. Carved from a single block of stone, this double-headed jaguar presents a dynamic image, a stunning example of the artist’s acute sensitivity to the natural world. In ancient Costa Rican society the jaguar was regarded as the most powerful creature in the animal kingdom, to be honored and revered it even had certain divine characteristics. In ancient mythology the most important God, Maira, was the sun during the day, making the journey from east to west across the land. At night, however, Maira assumed the form of a jaguar and stealthily made his way from the west back to the east, where in the morning he would once again rise in the form of the sun. Here, a pair of jaguars, symmetrically opposed and each with artistically incised forelegs and paws, exhibit a spirited strength through their combined bodies and massive heads. Twin faces complete with snarling mouth and large, sharp fangs exude an aura of primeval power that befits the animal’s feline identity. Clearly, the commanding presence of this ancient stone sculpture has withstood the passage of time, exhibiting a cosmic energy that is eternal in its ability to touch our inner senses.