The term “Pre-Columbian art” encompasses the entire oeuvre of the Western Hemisphere over a time span of 5,000 years.
The most commonly recognized examples — from the (relatively brief) Inca civilization, the Maya culture of Mexico and Guatemala, and the various cultures of west Mexico — only hint at this monumental collecting category.
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Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find metallurgy, textiles, ceramics, and wood and stone carvings from around 3,500 B.C. (the earliest known art forms, created by the Valdavia culture on the Ecuadorian coast) to the coming of Christopher Columbus.
Pre-Columbian art, the visual and material culture created by indigenous peoples in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex societies that flourished long before European contact.
Spanning thousands of years and encompassing a vast array of civilizations, from the Olmec to the Inca, Pre-Columbian art is rich with symbolism, spirituality, and a deep connection to the natural world.
The Origins and Evolution of Pre-Columbian Art
The term “Pre-Columbian” refers to the time before Columbus’s arrival, but it broadly covers a period that dates back to at least 2000 BCE. During this time, numerous cultures developed across the Americas, each with its unique artistic traditions.
Among the most renowned are the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations, though many other cultures contributed to this rich tapestry of artistic expression.
Olmec Art (c. 1200–400 BCE)
Often regarded as the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica, the Olmec civilization is known for its colossal stone heads, which are believed to represent rulers or deities. These massive sculptures, some weighing several tons, are among the most iconic examples of Pre-Columbian art. The Olmecs also produced intricate jade carvings, ceramics, and figurines that demonstrate their sophisticated artistic skills.
Maya Art (c. 2000 BCE–1500 CE)
The Maya civilization, known for its advanced writing system and astronomical knowledge, left behind a rich legacy of art, including elaborate stone carvings, murals, and pottery.
Maya art often depicted scenes of courtly life, religious ceremonies, and the natural world, with a particular emphasis on the gods and the afterlife. The Maya were also skilled weavers and produced intricate textiles that were highly valued.
Aztec Art (c. 1300–1521 CE)
The Aztecs, who ruled over a vast empire in central Mexico, created art that reflected their complex society and religious beliefs. Their art is characterized by bold, geometric designs and the use of vibrant colors.
The Aztecs were known for their monumental architecture, including the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlán, and their elaborate featherwork, which was used to create headdresses, shields, and other ceremonial items.
Inca Art (c. 1400–1533 CE)
The Inca civilization, which extended across the Andes from present-day Colombia to Chile, is renowned for its stonework and metallurgy.
The Incas built massive stone structures, such as Machu Picchu, that have stood the test of time. They also created finely crafted gold and silver objects, often inlaid with precious stones, and textiles that were considered some of the finest in the world.
Symbolism and Spirituality in Pre-Columbian Art
Pre-Columbian art is deeply rooted in the religious and spiritual beliefs of the cultures that produced it. Many artworks were created for ceremonial purposes and were believed to hold spiritual power. The use of symbolism is prevalent, with animals, plants, and celestial bodies often representing gods, ancestors, or other supernatural beings.
For example, in Maya art, the jaguar was a powerful symbol associated with the underworld and the night. It was often depicted in carvings and paintings, and rulers would wear jaguar pelts to signify their connection to the divine. Similarly, in Inca art, the sun was a central motif, representing the god Inti, who was considered the ancestor of the Inca emperors.
These symbolic elements were not merely decorative but served to reinforce the religious and political order of the time. Art was a way to communicate with the gods, to legitimize rulers, and to express the values and beliefs of the society.
Most of the cultures involved were animistic, believing that everything in nature was imbued with a soul or spirit. They favored ornamentation in body painting and tattooing as well as decorating palaces, temples, and homes.
Art objects could be simultaneously utilitarian and spiritual; for example, a ceramic vessel made by the Mayan culture in Guatemala in the 6th century could be used in daily life and later placed in the tomb for use in the afterlife.
Western Mexican ceramic sculptures of females could represent either servants or concubines in the afterlife; the familiar burnished terra cotta Colima dogs (representing the Mexican hairless dog, bred as food) were often placed in tombs as fodder for the great beyond.
The missionaries who arrived with Columbus destroyed a vast number of important pieces of this “pagan idolatry” in the name of Christianity.
Surviving art runs the gamut from abstract to spiritual and mythological imagery to the pictorial rendering of historic events (a marriage, a birthing scene, scenes of war, or everyday occurrences).
The subject of Pre-Columbian artefacts is vast – experts need to have a grounding in Tribal Art, as well as the aspects that influenced it – Inca, Mayan, Mexican, as well as its later influences: Spanish, Christian, etc.
The Techniques and Materials of Pre-Columbian Artists
Pre-Columbian artists were masters of various techniques and worked with a wide range of materials, from stone and clay to gold and feathers. Their craftsmanship was highly developed, and many of their techniques were passed down through generations.
Stone Carving: Stone was a primary medium for many Pre-Columbian cultures. The Olmecs, Maya, and Aztecs all produced intricate stone carvings, often depicting gods, rulers, and mythical creatures. The Incas were particularly skilled in working with large stones, fitting them together with such precision that their buildings have withstood centuries of earthquakes.
Pottery: Pottery was another important art form, with many cultures producing elaborately decorated vessels for both everyday use and ceremonial purposes. Maya pottery, for example, often featured detailed scenes painted in vibrant colors, while Nazca pottery from Peru is known for its bold, abstract designs.
Metallurgy: The use of metals, particularly gold and silver, was highly developed in Pre-Columbian art. The Moche culture of Peru created exquisite goldwork, including jewelry, headdresses, and ceremonial objects. The Incas, too, were skilled metallurgists, creating objects that were both functional and symbolic.
Textiles: Textiles were a major art form, especially in Andean cultures like the Inca. These textiles were often woven from alpaca or llama wool and dyed with natural colors. They featured complex patterns and were used to signify social status, with the most elaborate textiles reserved for the elite.
Featherwork: Feathers were highly prized in many Pre-Columbian cultures and were used to create stunning works of art. The Aztecs, in particular, were known for their feathered shields and headdresses, which were worn by warriors and nobles. The bright colors and intricate patterns of these feathered items were considered symbols of power and divine favor.
So, let’s examine the vast subject of collecting Pre-Columbian art:
What is the market for Pre-Columbian Art?
In this steadily rising market, As with any collectible, values are based on supply and demand. In every category you’ll find Grade A to Grade D.
You can buy an authentic Pre-Columbian head for $10 that’s very beautiful, but relatively insignificant in the scale of things.
At the upper extreme, pieces of Pre-Columbian art have sold privately for more than a million dollars.
As a general rule, a 6-inch Colima dog is worth around $600, while a 24-inch dog might go for $5,000. Size is less important than quality and condition.
An ugly, poorly crafted Colima dog in poor condition is worth maybe $300. Yet a Colima dog wearing a human mask, dancing, or nursing a pup could be worth $7,000-$8,000.
Check the Authenticity of Pre-Columbian Art
Fakes can — and have — fooled many people, including museum curators. Faked ceramic figurines by the famous Mexican forger Larra ended up in every major museum, and reproductions made years ago for the tourist trade often get peoples’ hopes up.
Experts need to be aware of what they don’t know; no one can possibly know everything.
As with any field, there are generalists, but there are also specialists — say, someone who’s devoted their time to the study of the ceramics of a given culture in northern Peru over a 300-year period.
Authentication is extremely difficult and very specialized, because we’re not dealing with a single field — we’re dealing with 5,000 years, five or six different mediums.
In addition to scientific testing methods, general dating is done on a stylistic basis. For example, we know that the Colima dogs were created between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D.
A certain type of Mayan vessel would have been created between 500 A.D. to 700 A.D. Then the question becomes whether the piece is what it ought to be.
An expert can analyze the surface of the object, looking for signs of real age as opposed to manufactured age.
Condition of Pre-Columbian Art
These objects are a few thousands years old, so the norm is that the pieces have been buried, broken, and put back together.
Repair is accepted, and often a restorer will carefully fill in those cracks, especially in a prominent area.
Restoration is common, but be careful about over-restoration, where only a small portion of the piece is authentic. As far as care, do as little as possible, just dust it.
The less these pieces are touched and messed with, the better.
For price comparables, we recommend several reference books, to the right, as well as back issues of Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction catalogues for Pre-Columbian sales.
When a catalogue is first issued, it will list an estimate; approximately a month after the auction you can get a “prices realized” list.
Pre-Columbian Art Today
Today, Pre-Columbian art is celebrated for its beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance. Museums around the world, including the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City and the Gold Museum in Bogotá, Colombia, house extensive collections of Pre-Columbian artifacts, offering visitors a chance to connect with these ancient cultures.
The influence of Pre-Columbian art can also be seen in contemporary art and design. Many modern artists draw inspiration from the bold patterns, vibrant colors, and symbolic motifs of Pre-Columbian art, creating works that pay homage to these ancient traditions while bringing them into a new context.
For those interested in exploring the rich world of Pre-Columbian art, there is much to discover. From the monumental stone heads of the Olmec to the intricate goldwork of the Moche, Pre-Columbian art offers a window into the past, revealing the creativity, spirituality, and resilience of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Whether you are an art historian, a collector, or simply a curious traveler, the art of the Pre-Columbian world is sure to captivate and inspire.
Further Reading:
Olmec Art and Archaeology in Mesoamerica by John Clark
Maya Art and Architecture by Mary Ellen Miller
The Art of Mesoamerica: From Olmec to Aztec by Mary Ellen Miller
Art of the Andes: From Chavin to Inca by Rebecca Stone-Miller
Pre-Columbian Art and the Post-Columbian World: Ancient American Sources of Modern Art by Barbara Braun
Pre-Columbian Art by Esther Pasztory
Designs from Pre-Columbian Mexico by Jorge Enciso
A Guide to Pre-Columbian Art by Jean Paul Barbier
Pre-Columbian Art: Investigations and Insights by Hildegard Delgado Pang
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