Skip to main content
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Flat Stamp
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Flat Stamp

Artist/Maker (Costa Rica)
Dateca. 1-700
Mediumpottery
DimensionsOverall: 1 3/8 x 1 3/4 in. (3.5 x 4.4 cm)
ClassificationsTools and Equipment
Credit LineGift of Candice Barrs
Terms
    Object number94.0014.25
    DescriptionBoth cylindrical and flat stamps were made in the Greater Nicoya area, but flat stamps are more common in its central region. Both types of stamps were created by hand and design elements were cut when the material was still soft using a technique called excision, which provides high and low-relief design. This flat stamp has a geometric design that may represent an abstract jaguar spot or, perhaps, a floral image. It would have been suitable for body decoration or stamping cloth and clay. Little is known about the meaning of these designs or how the stamps were used.
    On View
    On view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 300-500
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1-700
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 600-900
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1000-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1000-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Aztec
    ca. 1350-1521
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1000-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jama-Coaque
    200 BCE-600 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jama-Coaque
    200 BCE-600 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jama-Coaque
    200 BCE-600 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 500-1000