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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 Stone Adze

Stone Adze

Tairona Artist
1000-1550
41.329
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Image for Mummy Mask with Wig

Mummy Mask with Wig

Chancay Artist
1000-1450 (Late Intermediate)
61.355
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Image for Ocarina with Standing Zoomorphic Figure with Crescent Headdress

Ocarina with Standing Zoomorphic Figure with Crescent Headdress

Tairona Artist
1000-1550
48.2845
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Image for Drinking Vessel ("Aquilla")

Drinking Vessel ("Aquilla")

Chimú Artist
1000-1470 CE (Late Intermediate)
2009.20.5
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Image for Textile Doll

Textile Doll

Chancay Artist
1000-1450 (Late Intermediate)
83.768
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Image for Post with Carved Faces

Post with Carved Faces

Ica Artist
1000-1470 CE (Late Intermediate)
61.352
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Image for Post with a Carved Face

Post with a Carved Face

Ica Artist
1000-1470 (Late Intermediate)
61.351
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Image for Funerary Mask

Funerary Mask

n.d.
2009.20.17
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Image for Bat Pendant with Outstretched Wings with Openwork Design

Bat Pendant with Outstretched Wings with Openwork Design

Tairona Artist
1000-1550
72.33
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Image for Ceremonial Digging Stick with Carved Warriors

Ceremonial Digging Stick with Carved Warriors

Chancay Artist
1000-1450 (Late Intermediate)
61.356
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Image for Ancestral Figure

Ancestral Figure

Tairona Artist
1000-1550
41.335
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Image for Ancestral Figure

Ancestral Figure

Tairona Artist
1000-1550
41.334
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Image for Ancestral Figure

Ancestral Figure

Tairona Artist
1000-1550
41.333
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Image for Ancestral Figure

Ancestral Figure

Tairona Artist
1000-1550
41.332
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Image for Ancestral Figure

Ancestral Figure

Tairona Artist
1000-1550
41.331
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Image for Ancestral Figure

Ancestral Figure

Tairona Artist
1000-1550
41.330
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Image for Adornment

Adornment

n.d.
2009.20.80
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Image for Adornment

Adornment

n.d.
2009.20.79
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Image for Warrior Figure

Warrior Figure

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Image for Effigy Vessel of a Human-Animal Transformation Figure

Effigy Vessel of a Human-Animal Transformation Figure

AD 1000-1350 (late Period VI)
2009.20.56
On view
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Image for Llama Effigy

Llama Effigy

Chancay Artist
AD 1000-1470 (Late Intermediate)
2009.20.49
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Image for Tripod Vessel

Tripod Vessel

Diquís Artist
AD 1000-1500 (Period VI)
2009.20.94
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Image for Vessel

Vessel

Chancay Artist
AD 1000-1470 (Late Intermediate)
2009.20.35
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Image for Small Footed Bowl with Tiger Head Handles

Small Footed Bowl with Tiger Head Handles

Tairona Artist
1000-1500 (Pre-Colombian)
48.2783
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Image for Standing Man with a Bundle of Darts

Standing Man with a Bundle of Darts

Muisca Artist
1000-1500 (Late Intermediate)
57.2289
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Image for Nose Ring with Pierced Triangle and Diamond Decoration

Nose Ring with Pierced Triangle and Diamond Decoration

Chiriquí Artist
1000-1521 (Pre-Columbian or Early Conquest)
57.293
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Image for Funerary Mask

Funerary Mask

AD 1000-1200
2009.20.292
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Image for Pectoral

Pectoral

Mexican Artist
n.d. (Probably 20th century)
2009.20.301
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Image for Collar Pectoral

Collar Pectoral

n.d.
2009.20.265
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Image for Raptorial Bird Effigy Vessel, Possibly a Falcon

Raptorial Bird Effigy Vessel, Possibly a Falcon

1000-1350 CE (Period VI)
2009.20.282
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Image for Effigy "Collar"

Effigy "Collar"

n.d.
2009.20.190
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