Page 611 - Art In The Age Of Exploration (Great Section on Chinese Art Ming Dynasty)

482
481 three pairs of crocodile heads —the upper two
facing up, the lowest pair facing down — surround
SHAMAN WITH DRUM AND SNAKE the body. Ligatures around the waist and ankles MAN WITH JAGUAR MASK
and a snake-head penis sheath complete the attire. AND CROCODILE MOTIFS
Diquis
cast gold The pose is of great interest. Many authors cast gold
10.8 x 8.2 (fa x^A) have called such figures, especially smaller, more y.yxSf^x^/s)
stylized ones, musicians, interpreting the thin
Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica, San ]ose element emerging from the mouth as a flute. Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica, San Jose
While there is no question that the personage is
Like cat. 478, this piece is large and dynamic, a playing a drum, this thin element is more likely This shaman has a jaguar-crocodile mask and a
realistic portrayal of a shaman. His bodily propor- to be a snake. It is probable that the shaman is human leg in his mouth. A tiny jaguar springs
tions and anatomy are fairly naturalistic, and he shown holding a real snake in his mouth and around his neck, and the familiar serpent penis
wears no mask. Surrounding him, however, is an hand, the hand being near the snake's head much sheath-belt, with scrolls symbolizing water
aura of deities that undoubtedly reflects his spe- like a similar ritual practiced by the Hopi of North instead of serpent heads, encircles his waist. Pairs
cial powers. It must be kept in mind that psycho- America. By dancing, playing a drum, and hold- of false filigree crocodile heads are at his head and
tropic substances were an important part of ing a venomous snake, the shaman demonstrates feet. This interesting piece is one of several pen-
shamanistic ritual, and the visions experienced by his impunity to danger and his dominance of the dants found in Diquis and Chiriqui that show
the participants in the rituals frequently achieve physical and supernatural worlds. M.J.S. ornately costumed men placed between thin, usu-
plastic expression in artifacts. Here two false ally curved plaques of sheet gold. The plaques
filigree waves emerge from the shaman's head, have the obvious function of anchoring the pleth-
topped by crocodile-scale or feather symbols, and ora of elements between them. Perhaps they are

610 CIRCA 1492