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 514 results
Sort by:
Items per page:
Image for Male Figure

Male Figure

n.d. (Late Preclassic-Early Classic (?))
2009.20.300
View Details
Image for Vessel in the Shape of a Peccary

Vessel in the Shape of a Peccary

Vicús Artist
200 BC-AD 200
48.2453
View Details
Image for Fisherman Vessel

Fisherman Vessel

Nazca Artist
200 BCE-600 CE
48.2865
View Details
Image for Seated Male with Trophy Heads

Seated Male with Trophy Heads

Colima Artist
100 BCE-300 CE (Comala Phase)
2009.20.10
View Details
Image for Seated Male

Seated Male

Colima Artist
100 BC-AD 300 (Comala Phase)
2009.20.13
View Details
Image for Seated Figure

Seated Figure

Colima Artist
100 BC-AD 300 (Comala Phase)
2009.20.16
View Details
Image for Mother and Child

Mother and Child

Jalisco Artist
100 BC-AD 200
2009.20.15
View Details
Image for Seated Male Figure

Seated Male Figure

Arenal Artist
100 BC-AD 200 (Late Formative-Early Classic)
2009.20.58
View Details
Image for Dwarf-shaman Effigy Vessel

Dwarf-shaman Effigy Vessel

Colima Artist
100 BC-AD 300 (?) (Comala Phase (?))
2009.20.54
View Details
Image for Seated Female Figure

Seated Female Figure

100 BC-AD 300
2009.20.53
View Details
Image for Dog Effigy

Dog Effigy

Colima Artist
100 BC-AD 300
2009.20.51
View Details
Image for Human Effigy Pendant

Human Effigy Pendant

View Details
Image for Human Effigy Pendant

Human Effigy Pendant

View Details
Image for Nose Ornament

Nose Ornament

n.d.
2009.20.69
View Details
Image for Pectoral

Pectoral

n.d.
2009.20.70
View Details
Image for Ornament

Ornament

Moche Artist
100 BC- AD 600 (Early Intermediate)
2009.20.71
View Details
Image for Dog Effigy Vessel

Dog Effigy Vessel

Colima Artist
100 BC-AD 300
2009.20.63
View Details
Image for Tubular Bead Necklace and Emerald Pendant

Tubular Bead Necklace and Emerald Pendant

Quimbaya (?) Artist
100 BC-AD 1000
2009.20.75
View Details
Image for Ballgame Performer

Ballgame Performer

100 BC-AD 300
2009.20.134
View Details
Image for Dog Effigy Vessel

Dog Effigy Vessel

Colima Artist
100 BC-AD 300
2009.20.178
View Details
Image for Conjoined Man and Woman (Curing Ritual Narrative)

Conjoined Man and Woman (Curing Ritual Narrative)

Jalisco Artist
100 BC-AD 300
2009.20.149
View Details
Image for Ballgame Performer

Ballgame Performer

100 BCE-300 CE
2009.20.133
View Details
Image for Dwarf Effigy (Head Fragment)

Dwarf Effigy (Head Fragment)

Colima Artist
100 BC-AD 300 (Comala Phase)
2009.20.107
View Details
Image for Shaman (?) Effigy Figure

Shaman (?) Effigy Figure

n.d.
2009.20.290
View Details
Image for Vessel in the form of a seated man

Vessel in the form of a seated man

Colima Artist
100 BC-AD 300 (Comala Phase)
2009.20.289
View Details
Image for Panel

Panel

Peruvian Artist
100 BCE-300 CE
2011.20.9
View Details
Image for Carrying Bag

Carrying Bag

Peruvian Artist
100 BCE-300 CE
2011.20.3
View Details
Image for Seated Figure

Seated Figure

Colima Artist
100 BC-AD 300
2009.20.212
View Details
Image for Avian "Axe god" Pendant

Avian "Axe god" Pendant

n.d.
2009.20.257
View Details
Image for Avian "Axe god" Pendant

Avian "Axe god" Pendant

n.d.
2009.20.256
View Details
Image for Tubular Pendant Bead

Tubular Pendant Bead

AD 1-500 (?) (Period IV)
2009.20.238
View Details
Image for Tripod Dish with Animal-Shaped Supports

Tripod Dish with Animal-Shaped Supports

AD 1-500 (Period IV)
2009.20.208
On view
View Details
arrow_forward_ios
arrow_forward_ios