Though crocodiles were a popular theme in ancient Costa Rican art, few are depicted as realistic as this fine sculpture. A bowl rests on the reptile's back, simply decorated on the sides with a double row of horizontal triangles separated by straight black lines. Considerable attention was given to make the crocodile very realistic, its body covered with incised squares in relief to represent scutes. It's mouth is wide open revealing two rows of menacing teeth; while the beautifully formed eyes look about full of expression and animation. The crocodile was greatly respected for its strength and dominion over land and water. As such many quasi-religious cults venerated it as a near mythical beast. It is known that anyone surviving an attack of a jaguar was considered to have supernatural powers; and the same may have been the case with the crocodile. Therefore, association with the magnificent creature, either directly or through objects, was regarded as beneficial. Certainly the raw beauty of this sculpture, so full of character and life, communicates directly to our senses, and will remain forever appealing.