Ceremonial Metate
Artist:
Unknown
Place made:Guanacaste province, Costa Rica
General region:North and Central America
Culture: Línea Vieja–Huétar
Period: Pre-Columbian
Date: ca. A.D. 800
Medium: Basalt
Dimensions:
h. 15 in. (38.1 cm); w. 28 in. (71.1 cm); d. 13 in. (33 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. A. A. Seeligson, Sr.
Object number: 77.1157
Provenance: with Mrs. A. A. Seeligson, Sr. (Ramona Frates Seeligson) (1898-1998), San Antonio, TX, by 1977; by gift to the Witte Museum, San Antonio, TX, 1977; by transfer to the San Antonio Museum of Art, 1994
Label Text
This "metate," may have served dual ritualistic functions, as a grinding stone for ceremonial food and a throne for an important leader. One end of the metate extends forward in the shape of a jaguar head. The jaguar is oftern considered to be associated with rulership given its prowess and power in the animal kingdom. Rulers would attempt to embody these characteristics. It is made from a single piece of basalt which could have required a highly skilled artist. (Bernadette Cap, 2021)
Not on view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
