{"product_id":"costa-rican-stone-sukia-shamanic-figure","title":"Costa Rican Stone Sukia Shamanic Figure","description":"\u003cp\u003ePeriod VI  Circa 1000–1500 AD.   \u003cbr\u003eA finely carved volcanic stone figure of a sukia,  the shaman or spiritual intermediary of the Pre-Columbian peoples of the Atlantic Watershed and Central Highlands regions of Costa Rica. The standing\/crouching figure is depicted in a characteristic pensive posture, with one hand raised to the side of the head and the other resting against the torso, the pierced arms forming open negative space against the body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sukia was the community's healer, diviner, and ritual specialist, believed to communicate with the spirit world and preside over ceremonies involving transformation and trance. Stone sculptures of this type are thought to portray the shaman in a moment of meditation or spirit communion, and would have been placed in ceremonial contexts or elite burials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 4-3\/8 inches H. (plus custom mount)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Excellent ancient condition; surface pitting consistent with the porous lava stone; stable throughout with heavy mineral deposits characteristic of long burial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvenance:  Ex Collection of Howard T. Knapp, a former physicist for the Space Program at NASA, who had a deep passion for antiquities, armor and weaponry and acquired many fascinating objects from the 60s to the 80s during his extensive world traveling. With an impressive collection that included a three thousand-year-old Ancient Greek sword and over five thousand pieces of pottery, later in life Knapp was an antique dealer and director of Castle Armory Antique Arms Museum in St. Augustine, Florida. He died in 2010 at the age of 95.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Art for Eternity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53404737995066,"sku":"17533","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0775\/5120\/6714\/files\/17533blu.jpg?v=1777837568","url":"https:\/\/howardnowes.com\/products\/costa-rican-stone-sukia-shamanic-figure","provider":"Art for Eternity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}