Lot 44
DIQUIS STANDING FIGURE
COSTA RICA, 600-900 A.D.
Ancient, African & Oceanic Art and Natural History
Auction: 08 July 2026 at 14:00 BST
Description
carved volcanic stone, the standing figure depicted nude, with arms held to the sides, muscular limbs and broad squared shoulders, the neck angled slightly forwards, the back with a central ridge denoting the spine, raised on a bespoke mount
Dimensions
36cm tall
Provenance
Provenance:
Dominique Rabier Collection, Brussels
Footnote
The Diquis culture developed between 800 and 1500 A.D.in Southern Costa Rica; the word diquís meaning Great Waters or Great River in the Boruca language, and the delta of the great Diquís River is a major feature of that region’s geography. They may have arisen from local groups that were influenced by more southerly groups, particularly those that inhabited the territories of modern day Colombia. This impact would explain the intensified use of agriculture and the typically South American cultural elements especially prevalent in their artistic output, like their metalsmithing and ceramics. However, the Diquis have a very unique style in stone sculpture. They are famous for the big stone spheres they produced, still in situ in some instances, and the geometric and minimalistic way they depicted human and animalistic figures, of which this figure is a great example.