Striking in appearance, this effigy mask is an extraordinary example of Ancient Ecuadorian ceramic art, a masterpiece whose artistic tradition dates back to some of the earliest in the new world. Created by the Manteo culture of Ecuador, this mask demonstrates the Ecuadorian craftsmen refined skill at manipulating the medium and his creative ability to express potent power and energy. Distinctive brows highlight his thin slanted eyes, while a long aquiline nose and slightly open, expressive mouth add to his dramatic appearance. Large ears adorned with pierced earspools and a cap reminiscent of the neck of a pot further enhance this spirited mask. Perforations in the upper portion of the mask suggest that it may have been attached to an effigy figure or possibly a funerary bundle. Powerfully primitive and strikingly modern, this Ecuadorian effigy mask represents a vibrant link between the past and present, between life and death. How fortunate we are to be able to experience its cosmic energy, a force that truly transcends our mortal limits.