In 1911, Henry Walters purchased almost 100 gold artifacts from the Chiriqui region of western Panama, creating a core collection of ancient American art. Now strengthened by long-term loans and generous gifts from private collectors, the Ancient American collection features exceptional works of art from Central and South America, including masterpieces from the Mesoamerican Olmec, Aztec, and Maya cultures, as well as the Moche and Inca peoples of eastern South America. The collection includes extraordinary sculptures, masks, game objects, figurative and painted vases, as well as gold jewelry and ritual works.
Selections from the Art of the Americas speaks to themes of spiritual and physical transformation, plant and animal life, and the commemoration of ancestors. Objects on the tour could include a Ki'che Maya Funerary Urn (2009.20.41), Snuff Tray from the Jama-Coaque people of Ecuador (2009.20.126), Fisherman Vessel from the Nazca people of Peru (48.2865), Earflares from the Moche people of Peru (2009.20.65), and Canteen-shaped Bottle of the Huari people (2009.20.105).
ZOOM DOCENT TOUR: SPACE IS LIMITED.