Page 610 - Art In The Age Of Exploration (Great Section on Chinese Art Ming Dynasty)

on top of this piece seem to be two humans cos-
tumed as birds (owls?) at either side and a person
with a bat or monkey mask in the center. The
principal figure holds a double-headed serpent in
his mouth; his posture and realistically attired
lower body, with ligature and penis sheath, reveal
him to be a man. M.J.S.

479

HUMAN FIGURE WITH CROCODILE
COSTUME AND INSET STONE

Diquis
cast gold
l
15 x 10.8 (f/8 x 4 /4)
Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica, San Jose

Some of the features of this figure's crocodile cos-
tume echo those of cat. 478, among them the
spatulate extremities, flattened arms, ear spools,
and double serpent motif, this time circling the
waist in place of a realistic ligature. However, in
this piece a large curved flat element, using a
minimum of gold to create the maximum reflec-
tion, crowns the head. The significance of this
element is unknown; it could represent feathers.
Its lower parts at the sides of the ears are missing.
The most striking feature of this piece is the flat
black polished stone inlaid in the chest cavity.
Similar pieces from Diquis have been found with
inlays of emerald imported from Colombia, as
well as stones of other colors. Some stone and
pottery figures of the same date show empty
thoracic cavities, most probably representing the
opening of the chest to remove the heart in a
sacrificial ritual. M.J.S.

480
MAN WITH CROCODILE COSTUME

Diquis
cast gold
7
3.9 x 4.85 (iVz x i /s)
Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica, San Jose

The motif of the shaman or warrior-chief in
crocodile-god attire also appears in the elaborate
Diquis substyle called Changuinoia. Here the
small principal figure is almost obscured by a
baroque array of elements, including jutting pairs
of false filigree crocodile or bird heads to the side
of the head and legs, a double-headed serpent held
in the hands and mouth, a serpent belt, and styl-
ized faces. These faces, possibly of birds, are com-
posed of eye cavities on the chest, thighs, and
lower legs. The penis sheath represents the beak
element in one of these faces. This finely detailed
piece, including the false filigree elements and the
flattened arms, was produced in a single casting.
M.J.S.
THE AMERICAS 609