Upper body of a small female figure. The figure is very wide and flat. She has wide incised eyes, a pointed nose, pouted mouth, and is wearing a simple headdress. Her left arm and legs have all broken off. Fragment of a larger object.

Large cylindrical tube with a polished exterior. One end is damaged with a 1.8 cm x 0.7 cm section missing.

Two small pieces of sculpted stone. The larger piece (part a) and smaller piece (part b) are both rectangular with bevelled edges. On each end, there is a single hole drilled from the top to connect with a hole drilled in from the side. The top faces have fine striations across the stone, and the reverse sides are not worked.

Head of a figure. The figure has a projecting nose and lips as well as incised eyes. The figure appears to wear earspools and a headdress decorated with incised lines filled with red or white paint. The back of the head is plain. Fragment of a larger object.

Upper body and head of a figure. Figure has crudely formed lips and nose, with incised eyes. The figure's hair is long, and is parted to each side. The left arm has broken off, and the lower half of the body from the chest down is missing as well. Fragment of a larger object.

Small standing female figure. The figure is missing all of her limbs except her right leg. The figure has incised eyes and mouth, and a small built up nose.

Naked female figure sitting with spread legs, wearing low headdress. Remnants of red or ochre paint on back of head, back, and on lips? Arms extend at both sides to join the middle of each leg. Minimal carved details except face, headdress, small mounds for breasts, and small slit carved out between legs. Legs end as rounded stumps, below where hands sit. (Round sticker on back).

Seated, naked figure wearing curled, tube-shaped headdress. Missing right arm and foot. Previous adhesive repairs at neck and left shoulder. Eyes carved as slits, and prominent nose, mouth, and bellybutton. Right eye is far to the right, with a small hole between it and nose bridge.

Gift of Elliot Picket

The Olmec civilization (1400–400 B.C.E.) of Mexico’s Gulf Coast region produced small, portable figurines intended for ritualistic purposes. These three works display the characteristic Olmec sculptural features of a drooping lip and an elongated, flattened head. The winged figure and felsite figurine reflect the Olmec tradition of merging human and animal traits. Such composite forms relate to the ability of shamans, or ritual specialists, to transform themselves into animals. The wings represent those of a bat, associated with the darkness of the underworld. The figurine’s bushy tail and cap with feline ears suggest a jaguar, a sacred animal revered for its power. Jadeite and felsite were not native to Olmec ceremonial centers. Challenging to acquire and laborious to carve, they were valuable materials. The winged figure’s discovery in Costa Rica indicates the reverence for Olmec carvin