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Ancient Americas

In 1911, Henry Walters purchased almost 100 gold artifacts from the Chiriqui region of western Panama, creating a core collection of ancient American art. Now strengthened by long-term loans and generous gifts from private collectors, the Ancient American collection features exceptional works of art from Central and South America, including masterpieces from the Mesoamerican Olmec, Aztec, and Maya cultures, as well as the Moche and Inca peoples of eastern South America.

The artworks revolve around a core set of themes, including agricultural fertility, the role of the ruler in forging a bond between the natural and supernatural realms, and the practice of shamanism, which included the ritual of uniting with an animal spirit.

Most of the objects, made of gold, jade, turquoise, shell, or clay, were found in tombs, intended to equip the deceased for his journey to the next world. The ancient American art collection includes extraordinary sculptures, masks, game objects, figurative and painted vases, as well as gold jewelry and ritual works. The installation is especially strong in objects from Mesoamerica (including present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, the Intermediate Area of Central America and northern Colombia), and the Andean civilizations of Ecuador and Peru. The collection provides a comprehensive overview of the enormous variety of artistic expression from these regions.

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Image for Standing Figure of a Mother and Child

Standing Figure of a Mother and Child

Sinú Artist
AD 500-1550
48.2853
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Image for Band

Band

Huari Artist
500-850 CE
2011.20.15
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Image for Bone Carving of a Shaman-Vulture

Bone Carving of a Shaman-Vulture

Tairona Artist
500-1000
2006.15.1
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Image for Libation Vessel (Qero)

Libation Vessel (Qero)

Nazca Artist
500-650 CE (Early Intermediate)
2009.20.90
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Image for Drinking Vessel ("Kero")

Drinking Vessel ("Kero")

AD 500-800 (Middle Horizon)
2009.20.91
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Image for Trophy-Head Effigy Vessel

Trophy-Head Effigy Vessel

Huari Artist
AD 500-800 (Middle Horizon)
2009.20.97
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Image for Crocodile Effigy Incense Burner

Crocodile Effigy Incense Burner

AD 500-1350 (Period V–VI)
2009.20.45
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Image for Stucco Portrait Head

Stucco Portrait Head

Maya Artist
550-850 CE (Late Classic)
2009.20.26
On view
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Image for Warrior Figurine

Warrior Figurine

Maya Artist
AD 550-850 (Late Classic)
2009.20.38
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Image for Figure of a Scribe (Man with dwarfism)

Figure of a Scribe (Man with dwarfism)

Maya Artist
AD 550-850 (Late Classic)
2009.20.36
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Image for Stucco Portrait Head

Stucco Portrait Head

Maya Artist
AD 550-850 (Late Classic)
2009.20.46
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Image for Tripod Vessel

Tripod Vessel

Maya Artist
AD 550-850 (Late Classic)
2009.20.34
On view
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Image for Seated Male Figure

Seated Male Figure

Maya Artist
AD 550-850 (Late Classic)
2009.20.31
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Image for Bowl

Bowl

Maya Artist
AD 550-850 (Late Classic)
2009.20.30
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Image for Vessel

Vessel

Maya Artist
AD 550-850 (Late Classic)
2009.20.294
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Image for Seated Male Figure

Seated Male Figure

Maya Artist
AD 550-850
2009.20.113
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Image for Seated Nobleman Ocarina (Vessel Flute)

Seated Nobleman Ocarina (Vessel Flute)

550-850 CE (Late Classic)
2009.20.259
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Image for Incensario (Incense Burner)

Incensario (Incense Burner)

Maya Artist
ca. 600- 900 (Late Classic)
48.2770
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Image for Double-Chambered Vessel with Monkey

Double-Chambered Vessel with Monkey

Veracruz Artist
ca. 600-900 (Late Classic)
48.2774
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Image for Human Head Hacha

Human Head Hacha

Veracruz Artist
AD 600-1000 (Late Classic)
29.8
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Image for Standing Figure with a Tied-Rope Pectoral

Standing Figure with a Tied-Rope Pectoral

Maya Artist
600-900 (Late Classic)
48.2782
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Image for Engraved Profile Head with Inlaid Eye

Engraved Profile Head with Inlaid Eye

Maya Artist
AD 600-900 (Late Classic)
72.32
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Image for Cylinder Vessel

Cylinder Vessel

Maya Artist
600-900 CE (Late Classic)
48.2776
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Image for Polychrome Figural Urn with Jaguars and Skulls

Polychrome Figural Urn with Jaguars and Skulls

Maya Artist
600-900 CE (Late Classic)
48.2818
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Image for Yoke (Ballgame Trophy)

Yoke (Ballgame Trophy)

Taíno Artist
600-1500
2006.15.7
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Image for Seated Nude Male Smiling Figure with Upraised Arms

Seated Nude Male Smiling Figure with Upraised Arms

Remojadas Artist
AD 600-900 (Late Classic)
48.2807
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Image for Maya Polychrome Lidded Urn with Seated Figure

Maya Polychrome Lidded Urn with Seated Figure

Maya Artist
AD 600-900 (Late Classic)
48.2793
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Image for Standing Female Figure with Tall Headdress and Ankle-length Dress

Standing Female Figure with Tall Headdress and Ankle-length Dress

Remojadas Artist
600-900 CE (Late Classic)
48.2804
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Image for Tunic Panel

Tunic Panel

Huari Artist
600-900 CE
2011.20.10
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Image for Four-Cornered Hat

Four-Cornered Hat

Huari Artist
600-900 CE
2011.20.13
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Image for Tunic Panel

Tunic Panel

Huari Artist
600-900 CE
2011.20.7
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Image for Tunic Panel

Tunic Panel

Huari Artist
600-900 CE
2011.20.6
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