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 Nose Ring

Nose Ring

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.360
View Details
Image for Nose Ring

Nose Ring

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.340
On view
View Details
Image for Nose Ornament

Nose Ornament

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.367
View Details
Image for Nose Ring

Nose Ring

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.339
View Details
Image for Knob-Shaped Ornament

Knob-Shaped Ornament

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1800
57.338
View Details
Image for Disc-Shaped Ornament with Pierced Hole

Disc-Shaped Ornament with Pierced Hole

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.321
View Details
Image for Ornament

Ornament

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.364
View Details
Image for Disc-Shaped Ornament with Pierced Hole

Disc-Shaped Ornament with Pierced Hole

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.322
View Details
Image for Human Figure

Human Figure

Pre-Columbian Artist
before 1500
57.354
View Details
Image for Crocodile Effigy Pendant

Crocodile Effigy Pendant

n.d.
2009.20.273
View Details
Image for Jaguar Effigy Mace Head

Jaguar Effigy Mace Head

n.d.
2009.20.106
View Details
Image for Serpent Effigy Mace Head

Serpent Effigy Mace Head

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

"Axe god" Pendant

View Details
Image for Spouted Effigy Vessel

Spouted Effigy Vessel

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

Blackware Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2859
View Details
Image for Bowl with faces on two sides

Bowl with faces on two sides

Nazca Artist
AD 1-700 (Early Intermediate)
48.2855
View Details
Image for Temple or House Vessel

Temple or House Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2841
View Details
Image for Fertility Scene Vessel

Fertility Scene Vessel

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

House or Temple Scene Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2824
View Details
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
View Details
Image for Painted Dipper Vessel

Painted Dipper Vessel

Recuay Artist
AD 1-650 (Early Intermediate)
48.2838
View Details
Image for Dipper Depicting Singing Man

Dipper Depicting Singing Man

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

Portrait Vessel

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
48.2827
View Details
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
View Details
Image for Female Figure in Birthing Position

Female Figure in Birthing Position

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
48.2836
View Details
Image for Seated Man Stirrup Vessel

Seated Man Stirrup Vessel

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
48.2840
View Details
Image for Sea Lion Effigy Stirrup Vessel

Sea Lion Effigy Stirrup Vessel

Moche Artist
AD 50-800 (Early Intermediate-Middle Horizon)
48.2842
View Details
Image for Mask Adornment

Mask Adornment

Moche Artist
AD 100-600
2009.20.3
View Details
Image for Seated Male Effigy Vessel

Seated Male Effigy Vessel

Colima Artist
AD 100-900 (Classic)
2009.20.187
View Details
Image for Pregnant Woman Effigy Bottle

Pregnant Woman Effigy Bottle

Moche Artist
AD 100-600
2009.20.116
View Details
Image for Male Figure

Male Figure

n.d.
2009.20.114
View Details
Image for Mask

Mask

n.d. (Early Classic (?))
2009.20.216
View Details
arrow_forward_ios
arrow_forward_ios