*Sculpture zoomorphe Lot n° 31

representing a ceremonial metate in the form of a jaguar. The stylized body of the feline takes the form of a quadrangular tray and the four legs serve as feet. The head and body are decorated with geometric patterns that may refer either to the animal's spotted coat or to cultural or religious symbols. The physiognomy of the animal indicates that it reacts to stimuli. The head of a feline emerges on one side while on the opposite side, its tail forms an arc and comes to rest against a hind leg. The animal's eyes are wide open. The snubbed lips reveal a long row of sharp teeth. And, the round ears are erect. The front and back legs are paired together: on each side a monkey perches in balance and clings to the feline's legs. They are recognizable by their round eyes and protruding ears. This type of openwork panel characterizes the metates called "Flying Panel" of which this one materializes the apogee. By its iconographic richness and its technical prowess, this work is presented as a real lace, ingeniously carved in a monolithic block of volcanic rock. Brown-gray volcanic rock Guanacaste - Nicoya, Costa Rica, 300-700 AD 22.9 x 30.5 x 86.4 cm Provenance: Former Nicholas Stoetzer collection, 1964