Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, Nicoya region, ca. 2nd to 6th century CE. A hand-built pottery rattle in the form of an abstract zoomorph with 4 protruding legs, a plug-form tail, and a sizable head. Covered in dark red slip, the creature bears intricately incised linear and geometric motifs across its bulbous body that create a spiked presentation evocative of saurians. The head exhibits almost anthropomorphic features such as a hemispherical nose, elongated eyes, and cupped ears, but with characteristically animalistic qualities like bared fangs and a drooping tongue. Petite rattle balls are still present within 3 of the 4 legs, the head, and the tail. Size: 10.1" L x 5.2" W x 4" H (25.7 cm x 13.2 cm x 10.2 cm)This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request. Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #172979