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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 Bowl with faces on two sides

Bowl with faces on two sides

Nazca Artist
AD 1-700 (Early Intermediate)
48.2855
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Image for Spouted Effigy Vessel

Spouted Effigy Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2847
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Image for Blackware Vessel

Blackware Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2859
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Image for Painted Dipper Vessel

Painted Dipper Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2838
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Image for Temple or House Vessel

Temple or House Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2841
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Image for Effigy Vessel of a Seated Figure with Long Tunic

Effigy Vessel of a Seated Figure with Long Tunic

Nazca Artist
1-650 CE (Early Intermediate)
48.2831
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Image for Fertility Scene Vessel

Fertility Scene Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2825
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Image for House or Temple Scene Vessel

House or Temple Scene Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2824
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Image for Nose Ring

Nose Ring

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.339
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Image for Nose Ring

Nose Ring

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.360
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Image for Disc-Shaped Ornament with Pierced Hole

Disc-Shaped Ornament with Pierced Hole

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.321
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Image for Disc-Shaped Ornament with Pierced Hole

Disc-Shaped Ornament with Pierced Hole

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.322
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Image for Nose Ornament

Nose Ornament

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.367
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Image for Knob-Shaped Ornament

Knob-Shaped Ornament

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1800
57.338
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Image for Ornament

Ornament

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.364
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Image for Human Figure

Human Figure

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.354
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Image for Nose Ring

Nose Ring

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.340
On view
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Image for Crocodile Effigy Pendant

Crocodile Effigy Pendant

n.d.
2009.20.273
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Image for Jaguar Effigy Mace Head

Jaguar Effigy Mace Head

n.d.
2009.20.106
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Image for Serpent Effigy Mace Head

Serpent Effigy Mace Head

n.d.
2009.20.108
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Image for "Axe god" Pendant

"Axe god" Pendant

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Image for Sea Lion Effigy Stirrup Vessel

Sea Lion Effigy Stirrup Vessel

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
48.2842
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Image for Seated Man Stirrup Vessel

Seated Man Stirrup Vessel

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
48.2840
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Image for Female Figure in Birthing Position

Female Figure in Birthing Position

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
48.2836
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Image for Knife (tumi) with Removable Figural Handle

Knife (tumi) with Removable Figural Handle

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
54.3078
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Image for Dipper Depicting Singing Man

Dipper Depicting Singing Man

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
48.2828
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Image for Portrait Vessel

Portrait Vessel

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
48.2827
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Image for Mask Adornment

Mask Adornment

Moche Artist
AD 100-600
2009.20.3
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Image for Mask

Mask

n.d. (Early Classic (?))
2009.20.216
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Image for Warrior Effigy

Warrior Effigy

n.d.
2009.20.242
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Image for Female Performer Holding Drum and Striker or Rattle

Female Performer Holding Drum and Striker or Rattle

AD 100-1521 (Classic-Postclassic)
2009.20.225
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Image for Bird Pendant

Bird Pendant

Costa Rican Artist
100-500 (Early Classic)
42.1511
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