Barakat Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Menu

Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Vessel in the Form of a Saurian Deity, 1000 CE - 1300 CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Vessel in the Form of a Saurian Deity, 1000 CE - 1300 CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Vessel in the Form of a Saurian Deity, 1000 CE - 1300 CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Vessel in the Form of a Saurian Deity, 1000 CE - 1300 CE

Vessel in the Form of a Saurian Deity, 1000 CE - 1300 CE

Terracotta
height 39.4 cm
height 15 1/2 in
PF.3436
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EVessel%20in%20the%20Form%20of%20a%20Saurian%20Deity%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1000%20CE%20%20-%20%201300%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3ETerracotta%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3Eheight%2039.4%20cm%3Cbr/%3E%0Aheight%2015%201/2%20in%3C/div%3E

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 4 ) Thumbnail of additional image
In Ancient Costa Rica, artists created dark-brown or red-slipped vessels, usually characterized by modeled zoomorphic features that seem to represent human figures with zoomorphic masks and other animal features. This...
Read more
In Ancient Costa Rica, artists created dark-brown or red-slipped vessels, usually characterized by modeled zoomorphic features that seem to represent human figures with zoomorphic masks and other animal features. This particular effigy vessel is a figure wearing a crocodile mask, standing on two legs and a tail. The mask is sculpted in an elaborate manner, with its intricate snout revealing teeth. And the coffee bean-like eyes are enclosed in a high-relief rectangular shape. On the chest is a painted image of highly stylized figure, possibly the Meso-American rain God, Tloloc. Such magnificent figure also holds in each hand musical instruments. Perhaps it is a representation of a participant of a ritual or a special ceremony, a priest wearing a crocodile mask playing musical instruments. Was the priest chanting, along with the magical sounds of the instruments, for rain and agricultural prosperity? Or could he have been performing a ritual to appease the gods? Crocodiles were a predominant motif in Ancient Costa Rica, often appearing as mythical beings. The amphibian nature of a crocodile gives them the ability to live in water and on earth. Most likely this was the source for the mythical symbolism. Dressed in rich orange color, this Ancient sculpture is a magnificent example of Costa Rican art and history. Although we may not be able to decipher the Ancient iconography and symbolism, we are awed and delighted to see this wonderful artwork from the Ancient world.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
396 
of  427

London

48 Albemarle Street,

London, W1S 4JW

info@barakatgallery.eu 

 

       


 

CONTACT | TEAM | PRESS 

 

Seoul
58-4, Samcheong-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82 02 730 1949
barakat@barakat.kr
             

 

Los Angeles

941 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90069
+1 310 859 8408

contact@barakatgallery.com

  


 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Barakat Gallery
Site by Artlogic


Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Sign Up

* denotes required fields