Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Ceremonial Mace Head
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Ceremonial Mace Head

Artist/Maker (Costa Rica)
Dateca. 1-500
Mediumlimestone
DimensionsOverall: 3 7/8 x 4 1/4 x 5 1/8 in. (9.8 x 10.8 x 13 cm)
ClassificationsWeapons and Armor
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Terms
    Object number88.0008
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    DescriptionCeremonial mace heads were likely status markers that represented hereditary ties or clan membership by affiliation with a powerful animal, human, or geometric form. Like most mace heads, this one does not show signs of use, such as having been mounted on a staff or used in battle, and it was probably made to accompany the burial of a powerful individual. The jaguar iconography of this piece and the very fine white limestone from which it was made suggest that the owner was seen as strong, cunning, and powerful – the symbolic characteristics most often associated with felines – though it may have been his extended family, rather than physical or mental attributes, that was seen as strong and powerful.
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Ceremonial Mace Head
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1-500
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Ritual Textile (Pua)
    Iban Dayak people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Modular Painting with Four Panels #5
    Roy Lichtenstein
    1969
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mola
    Guna people
    late 1940s-mid 1950s
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mola
    Guna people
    late 1940s-mid 1950s
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Temple Model
    Nayarit
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    A Man of New Zealand and A Woman of New Zealand
    Artist Unknown
    1784-1786
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Medicine Jar
    Central Highlands/Atlantic Watershed
    ca. 1000-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Shaman Figure
    Colima
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Portrait of a Bearded Roman (possibly Emperor Antoninus Pius)
    Artist Unknown
    mid 2nd century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Ekpe or Ngbe Society Emblem
    Ejagham people
    ca. 1940
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Flask
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 600-900
    eMuseum
    Copyright © eMuseum