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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 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 Drinking vessel ("Aquilla") with human face

Drinking vessel ("Aquilla") with human face

n.d.
2009.20.89
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Image for Human Effigy Figure

Human Effigy Figure

n.d.
2009.20.73
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Image for Knotted Rattlesnake

Knotted Rattlesnake

Aztec Artist
1100-1520 (Postclassic)
29.2
On view
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Image for Standing Female Figure

Standing Female Figure

Chimú Artist
1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
61.353
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Image for Erotic Couple

Erotic Couple

Chimú Artist
1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
2009.13.14
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Image for "Aquilla" (Drinking Cup)

"Aquilla" (Drinking Cup)

Ica Artist
1100-1500 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
57.2307
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Image for Jar

Jar

Chimú Artist
1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
48.2858
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Image for Standing Figure

Standing Figure

Chimú Artist
1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
2009.13.33
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Image for Headband

Headband

Chimú Artist
1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
57.2308
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Image for Stirrup Vessel

Stirrup Vessel

Chimú Artist
1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
48.2854
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Image for Standing Figure

Standing Figure

Chimú Artist
1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
61.354
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Image for Standing Figure

Standing Figure

Chimú Artist
1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
61.358
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Image for Carved Standing Figure

Carved Standing Figure

Chimú Artist
1100-1550 (Late Intermediate-Late Horizon)
61.357
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Image for Ceremonial Knife Blade

Ceremonial Knife Blade

Chimú (?) Artist
AD 1100-1450 (Late Intermediate)
2009.20.275
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Image for Seated Male Figure

Seated Male Figure

1200 - 1500 CE
2009.20.283
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Image for Footed Dish with Animal Motifs

Footed Dish with Animal Motifs

1200-1500 CE (Late Period)
2009.20.277
On view
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Image for Footed Dish with Animal Motifs

Footed Dish with Animal Motifs

AD 1200-1500 (Late Period)
2009.20.278
On view
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Image for Footed Dish with Animal Motifs

Footed Dish with Animal Motifs

AD 1200-1500 (Late Period)
2009.20.279
On view
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Image for "Zemi" (Deity Figure)

"Zemi" (Deity Figure)

Taíno Artist
1200-1500
2005.6
On view
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Image for Spouted Vessel with Stirrup Handle

Spouted Vessel with Stirrup Handle

Tarascan Artist
AD 1200-1500 (Late Post-Classic)
48.2789
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Image for Polychrome Standing Figure with Raised Hand

Polychrome Standing Figure with Raised Hand

Mixtec Artist
1200-1500 (Late Post-Classic)
48.2812
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Image for Polychrome Shell Effigy

Polychrome Shell Effigy

Mixtec Artist
1200-1500 (Late Post-Classic)
48.2814
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Image for Xochipili (?) Effigy

Xochipili (?) Effigy

AD 1200-1521 (Postclassic)
2009.20.197
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Image for Human Effigy Pendant

Human Effigy Pendant

Diquís Artist
1200-1500 (Late Period IV–VI)
2009.20.74
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