23/06/2023
Nicoya Culture 3-legged monkey face effigy vessel dating to pre-Columbian era (pre-1524).
The artifact is 3.5” by 3.5” with minor damage and repairs.
The Kingdom of Nicoya, located on the North Pacific region of Costa Rica, was settled by immigrants from the Valley of Mexico (to the north) around 800 A.D. Christopher Columbus came to Costa Rica in 1502 resulting in the incorporation of the territory into the Captaincy General of Guatemala in 1524.
Like many other pre-Columbian territories, the Spanish named the region after the king at the time of conquest. In Spanish documents, the king's name was rendered as Nicoa, Nicoya, Nicoián or Nicoyán.
