#PreColumbianArt
LightNews LightNews
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Mosaic Shield
turquoise, shell mosaic on wood
c. 1200-1500 CE
Mixtec culture
Oaxaca, Mexico

#handmade #turquoise #shell #mosaic #inlay #wood #shield #ceremonial #ritual #MixtecCulture #Oaxaca #Mexico #ancientart #art #sculpture #ancientMexico #precolumbian #precolumbianart #prehispanic #mesoamerica
September 28, 2026 at 11:55 AM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Jaguar and Snake Hacha effigy
stone
c.550-950 CE
Late Classic period
Mayan culture
Mexico

#handmade #carved #stone #snake #jaguar #transformation #spiritual #religion #faith #belief #culture #mayanculture #lateclassic #mesoamerica #mexico #precolumbian #prehispanic #precolumbianart #sculpture #art
August 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Monkey at the Center of the Spiral
ceramic, pigments
c. 300-850 CE
Maya culture
Mexico

#handmade #ceramic #pottery #mayaculture #ritual #monkey #spiral #platter #ancientart #art #precolumbianart #precolumbian #prehispanic #mexico #mesoamerica #symbolism #belief #religion #transformation #shamanism
August 6, 2026 at 5:15 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Were-Jaguar Mask
carved stone
c. 900-500 BCE
Olmec culture
Mexico

#handmade #carved #stone #mask #Olmec #culture #werejaguar #shaman #transformation #fertility #rebirth #crops #foudsource #protection #religion #precolumbian #prehispanic #precolumbianart #ancientart #art #sculpture #mesoamerica
October 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Skull Mask
carved stone
Aztec (Mexica) culture
c. 1350-1520 CE
Mexico

#handmade #carved #stone #mask #skull #Aztec #Mexica #culture #cdmx #Mexico #Mesoamerica #precolumbian #prehispanic #ancientart #ancientsculpture #precolumbianart #precolumbiansculpture #art #sculpture #ancientMexico #aztecmask
September 25, 2026 at 6:41 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Seated Xochipili
carved basalt
c. 1325-1521 CE
Mexica (Aztec) culture
Mexico

#handmade #carved #stone #seated #Xochipili #Aztec #Mexica #god #flowers #music #art #precolumbian #prehispanic #lateclassic #period #ancientart #ancientsculpture #art #sculpture #precolumbianart #precolumbiansculpture
August 23, 2026 at 1:47 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Funerary Mask for a Nobleman
silvered copper, shell
c. 300-500 CE
Moche culture
Peru

#handmade #silvered #copper #shell #eyes #funeral #mask #burial #afterlife #protection #underworld #postmortem #moche #culture #peru #religion #belief #precolumbian #prehispanic #ancientart #art #precolumbianart
August 22, 2026 at 5:21 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Chinesco style figure
ceramic, pigments
c. 100 BCE to 250 CE
Nayarit culture
Lagunillas Type C
Western Mexico

#handmade #ceramic #pigments #Chinescostyle #figure #Nayaritculture #westernmexico #precolumbian #shafttomb #lagunillastypeC #prehispanic #art #sculpture #precolumbianart #ancientart #craft
July 30, 2026 at 1:15 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Standing Female Figure
earthenware, slip paint
c. 200 BCE to 500 CE
Nayarit culture
Mexico

#handmade #pottery #ancientpottery #precolumbian #prehispanic #nayarit #mexico #mesoamerica #precolumbianart #precolumbiansculpture #tomb #offering #ancientart #art #sculpture #female #figure #earthenware
July 11, 2026 at 4:47 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Shark Dancer Whistle
terracotta, pigment
c. 600-900 CE
Colima region
Western Mexico

The shark is a whistle.

#handmade #sharkdancer #whistle #dance #ritual #terracotta #pigment #colimaregion #westernmexico #precolumbian #prehispanic #ancientart #art #sculpture #mesoamerica #precolumbianart #craft
July 30, 2026 at 1:41 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Chinesco Female Figure
earthenware, slip paint
c. 300 BCE to 200 CE
Nayarit culture
Mexico

#precolumbian #prehispanic #nayarit #culture #pottery #art #sculpture #earthenware #slippaint #female #figure #chinescostyle #tomb #offering #precolumbianart #precolumbianpottery #mesoamerica #mexico #ancient
July 11, 2026 at 4:41 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A stone sculpture of a masked shaman
San Agustín, Colombia
5-400 CE
San Agustin culture

#precolumbian #prehispanic #sanagustinculture #stone #sculpture #precolumbianart #ancientart #handmade #colombia #sanagustin
November 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Mosaic Encrusted Skull
human skull, turquoise, onyx, shell
c. 1350-1520 CE
Aztec (Mexica) culture
Mexico

#handmade #humanskull #turquoise #onyx #shell #mosaicoverlay #ancientart #art #sculpture #Aztec #Mexica #culture #Mexico #Mesoamerica #precolumbianart #religion #belief #ritual #ceremony #skull
September 9, 2026 at 5:15 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Mayan portrait head
stucco, pigments
c. 600-900 CE
Mayan culture
Palenque
Chiapas, Mexico

#handmade #portrait #head #Maya #MayanCulture #ancientart #art #sculpture #precolumbian #precolumbianart #precolumbiansculpture #palenque #chiapas #mexico #mesoamerica
This is a Maya stucco portrait head from the ancient city of Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico.It dates back to the Classic Period, approximately 600–900 CE.The highly detailed, realistic sculpture was originally part of a larger architectural structure and would have been brightly painted.These portraits often depicted elite individuals or rulers of the Maya civilization
July 26, 2026 at 6:45 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Mosaic Mask
turquoise, shell, on wood
c. 1322-1422 CE
Mixtec culture
Oaxaca, Mexico

#handmade #mosaic #turquoise #shell #mask #MixtecCulture #Oaxaca #Mexico #Mesoamerica #ancientart #art #sculpture #ritual #ceremonial #religion #belief #precolumbian #prehispanic #precolumbianart #ancientmexico
Mixtec mosaic masks are beautiful works of art made by the Mixtec people of ancient Mexico. They were often decorated with small pieces of turquoise, stone, shell, and other materials. These masks represented gods, ancestors, or important people and were used in religious and ceremonial contexts. Their detailed designs and bright colors show the great skill and craftsmanship of Mixtec artists.
September 28, 2026 at 9:04 AM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Jaguar-Serpent vessel
polychrome terracotta
c. 500 BCE to 500 CE
Jama-Coaque culture
Ecuador

#handmade #polychrome #terracotta #vessel #JamaCoaque #preColumbianArt
#AncientEcuador #hybriddeity
#jaguarsymbolism #jaguarsnake #snake #jaguar #ancientart #art #ancientpottery #precolumbian #prehispanic
Jama-Coaque, the name originally given to the prehistoric culture occupying northern Manabí Province, Ecuador, during the Regional-Developmental period, (500 bce–ce 500). More recent research has established that the Jama-Coaque tradition represents four phases of occupation beginning around 550 bce and continuing until the Spanish conquest in 1531. Vessel depicting a hybrid deity combining the traits of a jaguar and a serpent with a forked tongue. Polychrome terracotta; minor probable restoration not exceeding approximately 5-10% of the total mass of the work; marks of age. Jama-Coaque, Ecuador, 500 BC-AD 500. 18 × 23 × 32.5 cm In Jama-Coaque culture, hybrid representations occupy a central place, expressing the fusion of animal forces invested with symbolic power. The association of the jaguar and the serpent-two major figures of Pre-Columbian imagery-refers to a complex entity embodying both terrestrial strength and chthonic power. The open mouth, exposed fangs, and forked tongue emphasize the striking character of the figure, while the clawed limbs and elaborate headdress reinforce its supernatural nature. Through the richness of its modeling and the tension of its forms, the work conveys a remarkable presence, characteristic of the finest creations of this artistic tradition.
June 20, 2026 at 4:44 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Two photos of artist/designer Annette Nancarrow - amongst her pre-Columbian art collection, and wearing a Mexican 'skull' dance mask circa 1940s.

#annettenancarrow #artist #designer #jewelry #jewelrydesign #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #handmade #precolumbianart #wearableart #art #sculpture
February 9, 2026 at 2:54 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Warrior figure
terracotta, pigment
c. 120-250 CE
Nayarit culture
Western Mexico

#handmade #terracotta #pigment #sculpture #warrior #bicorn #armor #figure #sculpture #art #nayarit #nayaritculture #nayaritart #nayaritsculpture #burial #shafttomb #precolumbianart #prehispanic #mexico #mesoamerica
Warrior figure terracotta, pigment c. 120-250 CE Nayarit culture Western Mexico In the cultures of Western Mexico, representations of warriors reflect the importance of conflict and the prestige attached to military status. Armed figures, often equipped with clubs or impact weapons, embody an elite responsible for the defense and affirmation of the community. The body paint visible on the face refers to ritual preparations preceding combat, serving both to express identity and to signify the warrior's rank. The stylized treatment of the body, combined with a stable frontal posture on a tripod support, gives the figure a commanding presence and a strong formal clarity.
July 8, 2026 at 12:51 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Standing Stone Figure
carved stone
c. 300-100 BCE
Mezcala culture
Guerrero, Mexico

#handmade #carved #stone #standing #figure #Mezcala #culture #Guerrero #Mexico #ancientart #ancientsculpture #art #sculpture #Mesoamerica #ancientMexico #precolumbian #prehispanic #precolumbianart #Mezcalasculpture
The Mezcala culture (sometimes referred to as the Balsas culture) is the name given to a Mesoamerican culture that was based in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero in the upper Balsas River region. The culture is poorly understood but is believed to have developed during the Middle and Late Preclassic periods of Mesoamerican chronology between 700 and 200 BC. The culture continued into the Classic period (c.250-650 AD) when it coexisted with the great metropolis of Teotihuacan. Mezcala-style sculpture is characterised by abstract facial features, suggested by lines and differences in texture. The Mezcala sculptural style emphasizes geometric abstraction in both human figures and architectural models. The sculptural style of the Mezcala culture may have been influenced by the Olmecs. In turn, it may have influenced the development of sculpture at the Classic-period metropolis of Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico. Later civilizations, like the Aztecs, valued Mezcala items; archaeologists have found Mezcala standing figures and artifacts buried as offerings inside the Templo Mayor in Mexico City.
September 21, 2026 at 2:15 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Lifeless Human Face (fragment)
modeled clay
c. 600-900 CE
Veracruz culture
Mexico

#lifeless #human #face #fragment #Veracruzculture #mesoamerica #prehispanic #precolumbianart #sculpture #art #mesoamericanart #ceramic #precolumbianceramics #clay #lateclassicperiod #museoamparo #puebla #mexico
From the Museo Amparo in Mexico... It is evident that, beginning in the early Classic period (ca. 350 AD) on the Gulf of Mexico coast, ceramics associated with the Teotihuacan cultural sphere began to appear locally. Accompanying this was a willingness among the elites to adopt this style—which was spreading across much of Mesoamerica—as represented by vessels and figurines featuring forms previously unseen in the region. These changes originating in central Mexico likely influenced the ritual practices of the ruling classes, as they fostered local imitation and ultimately led to the incorporation of these novel products into their own ceremonial activities.
July 10, 2026 at 4:47 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Vénus figure
ceramic and glaze
Chupicuaro culture
Mexico
400-100 BCE
#precolumbianart #precolumbian
#chupicuaro #precolombien
#artprecolombien
A ceramic standing female figure with hands on hips, probably a fertility gesture, from the Chupicuaro culture of ancient Mexico circa 400 to 100 BCE
June 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Circa 1500 CE Incan cast silver female figure with inlaid shell of many colors.

#Inca #peru #femalefigure #silver #seashell #circa1500CE #ancientart #art #artoftheamericas #precolumbianart #prehispanicart #ancientartsofperu #indigenous #metalworking #silverart
March 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
carrickdonna.bsky.social
I find this relatable, but maybe I’m crazy.
#inka #precolumbianart
February 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
pablonotpicasso.bsky.social
One of the first pieces where I feel like I started developing my own voice as an environment designer- creating spaces that feel like they have unique problem solving to the needs of their environment. More info in the alt text! #visualdevelopment #precolumbianart
A view of a city in a Mayan- inspired version of the underworld, where structures are built like stalactites hanging down from a roof above a misty and watery abyss. For me, the development of this painting helped me understand a lot of principles of how worldbuilding should have an authentic and well understood cultural lens through which problem solving occurs.
November 25, 2024 at 6:07 PM
justmayemoramx.bsky.social
More than a mask, this is #Tláloc — the #RainGod who nourished fields & shaped #CyclesOfLife in the ancient #Mixtec civilization. The #turquoise inlay isn’t just 🪨, but sky & water fused in one, a sacred reminder that survival itself was divine.

#Art #ArtHistory #IndigenousArt #PreColumbianArt
Mask of Tlaloc, inlaid with turquoise. Place of origin: Mexico, Mixtec civilization, c. 1300-1500 AD. Collection: St Louis Art Museum. 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐔𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧. 𝐍𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 — 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐮𝐬𝐞 — 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐮𝐬𝐞.
September 26, 2025 at 1:25 AM