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In the heart of the ancient Aztec civilization, the sun’s golden rays lit up the verdant landscapes, illuminating the revered deity known as Toci, the Grandmother Goddess. Her name, “Our Grandmother,” echoed through Aztec mythology, embodying profound reverence for her role as the protector and nurturer of all life.

Large Mezcala Stone Temple Sculpture

Architectural sculptures of this scale and complexity rank among the most desirable categories of Mezcala stone carving, combining abstraction with structural clarity and symbolic presence. The survival of multiple figural components, together with the sculpture’s substantial size, places this example well above the more commonly encountered fragmentary or diminutive forms.

The Wari False Head with Purple Spondylus eyes is a fascinating artifact that offers a glimpse into the past. It is believed to have been created between 500 and 1000 A.D. and is a testament to the advanced craftsmanship of the Wari people. The use of wood planks, incised bone teeth, and Purple Spondylus shells for the pupils makes it a unique and rare piece that is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Valdivia Limestone Votive Sculture. Ecuador. ca. 2300 - 2000 BC. - Galeria

Contici

Paracas Wood, Stone and Feather Club - South West Coast, Peru. Paracas, Early Horizon ca. 800 – 100 BC.

Parrot feathers surround and trim the lower base of the six-pointed stone head. The maker did not hold back in demonstrating that this club was made for a high-status individual. The outer mace has been incised with a humanoid figure. Each point is adorned with an appendage. Under magnification, tiny clear crystal stones are embedded in the eyes with a gold flake nested in one. A triangular green stone is placed on his forehead. In the center body of the stone mace is an extraordinary series of Sun Flairs edging outwards from a cast Silver moon – illustrating a solar eclipse.

This depiction strongly suggests the shared Andean Sun God – later known by the Incas as “Inti.”

Monumental Mezcala Axe God Figure, M10 Type, Guerrero

The enduring strength of stone made it the preferred medium of expression for many ancient cultures. But for the civilizations of the pre-Columbian Americas, stone held much more than permanence. It was a sacred material—alive with energy, steeped in myth, and used to channel the power of deities, ancestors, and rulers. The legacy of these works has transcended their original settings, offering today’s scholars and collectors insight into a world where form and function merged with meaning.

Maya Serpentine Earflare Assemblages

Rare Taino Wood Snuff Tube – Cohoba Inhaler w/ Shell Teeth

Maya Olive Shell Skull Face Pendant

In the cosmology of the Maya, shells were not merely decorative—they were potent symbols drawn from the sea, representing the primordial realm from which human life emerged and the fluid threshold into Xibalba, the Maya underworld. The gaunt skull motif carved into this piece underscores its ritual power, echoing the Maya’s profound preoccupation with mortality, transformation, and cyclical time. Skulls were ubiquitous in Maya iconography, signifiers of death and the sacred continuum between worlds.

Colima Tripod Parrot Leg Olla