Fine Ancestral stones idols from the Bahia culture, Ecuador. Ca. 500-500 A.D. Curved
tusk-like shape with anthropomorphic features incised on the front. Faces have ovoid
eyes, mouth and a parallel sided nose. Horizontal band(s) on top of the head. Long
slender arms to their sides with hands slightly elevated to the chest. Found both
on the Island of La Plata and in habitation sites in Manabi. Valdivian flat plaques
(Palmer Stone) by contrast are similar, but lack the distinctive rounded curved tusk-like
shape. Rare
Measures: A - 6.5”/16.51 cm. $3,850
B - 6.0”/15.24 cm. $3,850
C - 7.3”/18.41 cm. $3,750
Many of these figurines were buried upright in small shallow holes exposing only
their heads. Indication of offerings or part of some kind of ritual. Ref: Pia Hahn,
Institute of Archaeology; Dorse, Field Museum; Ecuador, Betty J. Meggers
Similar examples shown in Charms in pre-Columbian Ecuador pg 40.; Amerindian Signs
pg 96 plate 59; Pre-Columbian Art of South America by Alan Lapiner, pg 449 plate
739