Pre-Columbian Costa Rica - Galeria Namu

Authentic Central American Jade Pre-Columbian Amulet - Anthropomorphic Figure

Code: PCCR041 Size: 1 1/2” x 2 ¾” (4 x 7 cms) Galeria Namu works with artisans who one might call “reformed” tomb raiders – although some indigenous tomb raiding (‘huaquerismo’ in Spanish) probably persists for the black market (Costa Rica made it illegal in the 80’s), on the whole, this activity has ceased. The former tomb raiders are left with an excellent knowledge of how original artifacts should look, as well as, in some cases, how to 'stress' their reproductions, making them look ancient. The reproductions craftsmen that we work with are the same that the national museums of Costa Rica employ when they need replicas made. Their craft is such that they could easily fool many experts regarding authenticity due to their eye for detail and faithfully copied aesthetic. This attractive speckled green jade amulet represents an anthropomorphic figure possibly an clan ancestor, shaman, or a famous leader. Costa Rica Pacific Northwest/Caribbean watershed, CE 350-800.

Museum Quality Costa Rican Pre-Columbian Pottery – Tripod Cup with Mammals

Code: PCCR038 Size: 8 3/4" x 7 3/4” (22.5 x 19.5 cms) This tripod cup with climbing mammals on each leg (possibly martins, or coatimundi) is an example of a multitude of such pottery vessels set on a tripod found all over today’s Costa Rica. Such vessels would have contained either cacao, or maize 'chicha' - all important beverages for the aboriginal cultures of the past as well as today’s indigenous people. Huetar Archeological Region (Central Valley and Caribbean watershed, Costa Rica), CE 750-900. All of the pre-European reproduction pieces in the Namu collection are faithful replicas of such authentic objects (in gold, jade, pottery and stone) seen in the exhibition halls of Costa Rica's world class national museums in San Jose.

Pre-Columbian (replica) Stone Sculpture - Double Serpentine Warrior (carved serpentine stone plaque)

Code: PCCR043 Size: 16 1/2" long x 8”wide (42 x 20.5 cms) This 'double warrior plaque carved from a slab of green-toned serpentine' would be an stone object (replica) possibly representing clan founders, or cultural heroes, of the pre-European Huetar society of the Central Valley and Caribbean watershed of present-day Costa Rica. Serpentine stone is still found by the rivers that flow out to the Caribbean coast. The Pre-Columbian reproductions craftsmen that we work with are the same that the national museums of Costa Rica employ when they need replicas made. Their craft is such that they could easily fool many experts regarding authenticity. The eye for detail and faithfully copied aesthetic that these, often senior, craftsmen achieve is most certainly informed through having handled so many authentic pre-European objects as part of their 'haul' back in the day. These were times when there were no laws against tomb raiding and selling artifacts pilfered from ancient aboriginal graves.

Pre-Columbian (replica) Stone Sculpture: Jaguar Trophy Head

Code: PCCR042 Size: 9 1/2" long x 5”high (24.5 x 13 cms) The Pre-Columbian reproductions craftsmen that we work with are the same that the national museums of Costa Rica employ when they need replicas made. Their craft is such that they could easily fool many experts regarding authenticity. The eye for detail and faithfully copied aesthetic that these, often senior, craftsmen achieve is most certainly informed through having handled so many authentic pre-European objects as part of their 'haul' back in the day. These were times when there were no laws against tomb raiding and selling artifacts pilfered from ancient aboriginal graves. Although it most certainly persists on a much lower level in our times for the black market (Costa Rica banned 'huaquerismo' activities back in the mid-Eighties), on the whole, this activity has ceased to exist and our artisans are what one might call "reformed" tomb raiders. They are left with an excellent knowledge of how such objects should look as well as, in some cases, how to 'stress' their reproductions, making them look ancient. This is a 'jaguar trophy head' (head hunter trophy)

Authentic Central American Jade Pre-Columbian (replica) 'Axe-god' Amulet

Code: PCCR041 Size: 3 3/4" tall x 2 ¼”wide (9.25 x 5.75 cms) This liquidy green translucent jade amulet represents, what is known locally, as a 'dios hacha' (axe-god) - a power motif for the wearer and evidently a very important symbol in its era, before the arrival of the Europeans, judging by how many of these objects were excavated. Its provenance would be the Nicoya-Guanacaste region and northern Caribbean watershed, CE 350-800. The Pre-Columbian reproductions craftsmen that we work with are the same that the national museums of Costa Rica employ when they need replicas made. Their craft is such that they could easily fool many experts regarding authenticity. The eye for detail and faithfully copied aesthetic that these, often senior, craftsmen achieve is most certainly informed through having handled so many authentic pre-European objects as part of their 'haul' back in the day. These were times when there were no laws against tomb raiding and selling artifacts pilfered from ancient aboriginal graves.