Great Anthropo-zoomorphic Deity, Costa Rica Period Vi, 1000-1550 Ad

GREAT ANTHROPO-ZOOMORPHIC DEITY WITH A FELINE HEAD DELTA DU DIQUIS, SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST OF COSTA RICA PERIOD VI, 1000-1550 AD Sculpture representing a standing figure with a feline head. The stylized body is massive, designed in two dimensions. It is inscribed in a triangle whose angles are composed of the shoulders and the rounded base that supports the feet. The arms flattened on the bust are in relief. The legs are separated in the center by a hollow while the feet meet at the base. The fingers of the hands and feet are indicated by incisions that evoke claws. The joints at the knees are marked by grooves. He wears a large belt buckle. His expressive face takes on the features of the feline, the wide open mouth revealing the fangs. The nose is flattened; His almond-shaped eyes are large. They are highlighted by the presence of the dotted brow ridges. The back evokes the musculature and the shoulder blades. (Small lack, broken and glued back together) Size 45.5 cm and 49 cm with base The Diquis culture developed between 800 and 1500 AD in southern Costa Rica. Its artistic creation is characterized by stone sculptures representing anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figures, or monumental spheres. This standing character, whose limbs are never separated from the body, is a fine example of the technical mastery of the artists of the Diquis culture. It represents a shaman in transformation who attributes to himself the powers of the animal to make his journey through the different worlds. This sculpture is remarkable for its size and expressive force.