Back to All Categories

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.

Showing 513 results
Sort by:
Items per page:
Image for Mask

Mask

n.d.
2009.20.127
View Details
Image for Figural Urn of a Masked Deity

Figural Urn of a Masked Deity

Zapotec Artist
500-200 BC (Monte Albán I (?))
2006.15.8
View Details
Image for Feline Vessel

Feline Vessel

Vicús Artist
500 BC-AD 500 (Early Intermediate)
48.2835
View Details
Image for Human Face Pendant

Human Face Pendant

500 BCE-500 CE (Period IV)
2009.20.223
View Details
Image for Head

Head

Guangala Artist
400 BC-AD 500
48.2846
View Details
Image for Standing Female Figure

Standing Female Figure

Nayarit Artist
300 BC-AD 200 (?) (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.12
View Details
Image for Kneeling Female Figure

Kneeling Female Figure

Nayarit Artist
300 BC-AD 200 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.14
View Details
Image for Dog Effigy Vessel

Dog Effigy Vessel

Jalisco Artist
300 BC-AD 200 (Archaic)
2009.20.23
View Details
Image for Figure Seated on a Bench with Hands Held to Mouth

Figure Seated on a Bench with Hands Held to Mouth

Jama-Coaque Artist
300 BCE-800 CE
48.2862
View Details
Image for Bowl with Flower Motif

Bowl with Flower Motif

Ecuadorian Artist
300 BC-AD 700
48.2857
View Details
Image for Temple Model

Temple Model

Mezcala Artist
300 BC-AD 500 (?) (Terminal Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.4
View Details
Image for Seated Male Figure with Arms Resting on Upraised Knees

Seated Male Figure with Arms Resting on Upraised Knees

Nayarit Artist
300 BC-AD 300 (Late Pre-Classic)
48.2817
View Details
Image for Seated Puppy

Seated Puppy

Jalisco Artist
300 BC-AD 300 (Late Pre-Classic)
48.2816
View Details
Image for Seated Male Figure

Seated Male Figure

Chupícuaro Artist
300-100 BC (Late Formative)
2009.20.234
View Details
Image for Skull Effigy Pendant

Skull Effigy Pendant

Maya Artist
300 BCE - 100 CE (?) or possibly 20th century
2009.20.221
View Details
Image for Female Figurine

Female Figurine

Chupícuaro Artist
300-100 BC (Late Formative)
2009.20.226
View Details
Image for Seven Small Figurines

Seven Small Figurines

Zacatecas Artist
300 BC-AD 200 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.268.1-7
View Details
Image for Female Figure

Female Figure

Chupícuaro Artist
300 BC-AD 100
2009.20.236
View Details
Image for Seated Female Holding Child

Seated Female Holding Child

Zacatecas Artist
300 BC-AD 200 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.266
View Details
Image for Standing Figure

Standing Figure

Zacatecas Artist
300 BC-AD 200 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.267
View Details
Image for Bowl

Bowl

Chupícuaro Artist
300 BC-AD 100
2009.20.209
View Details
Image for Human Effigy Flute

Human Effigy Flute

n.d.
2009.20.132
View Details
Image for Tobacco Pipe

Tobacco Pipe

Michoacan Artist
300 BC-AD 800 (Late Formative-Classic)
2009.20.131
On view
View Details
Image for Female (?) Figure

Female (?) Figure

Chupícuaro Artist
300 BC-AD 100 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.153
View Details
Image for Female Figurine

Female Figurine

Colima Artist
300 BC-AD 200 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.174
View Details
Image for Female Figure

Female Figure

Chupícuaro Artist
300 BC-AD 100 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.152
View Details
Image for Seated Female (?) Figure

Seated Female (?) Figure

Colima Artist
300 BC-AD 200 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.154
View Details
Image for Female Effigy Figure

Female Effigy Figure

Jama-Coaque Artist
300 BC-AD 600
2009.20.186
View Details
Image for Pregnant Female Figure

Pregnant Female Figure

Colima Artist
300 BC-AD 200 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.136
View Details
Image for Anthropomorphic Tubular Duct Flute

Anthropomorphic Tubular Duct Flute

Colima Artist
300 BC-AD 200
2009.20.138
View Details
Image for Head

Head

300 BCE-600 CE
2009.20.182
View Details
Image for Woman with Vessel

Woman with Vessel

Jalisco Artist
300 BC-AD 100
2009.20.180
View Details
arrow_forward_ios
arrow_forward_ios