Metate; Pre-Columbian. Costa Rica, Atlantic Basin Region, A.D. 800-1200.

Metate; Pre-Columbian. Costa Rica, Atlantic Basin Region, A.D. 800-1200.
Stone.
It presents slight superficial wear.
Measurements: 18 x 46 cm (diameter).
Costa Rican tripod metate. Carved from a single piece of light gray porous volcanic stone. Probably made for an elite tomb. This example has circular shaped grinding with dented edges, with three legs, all three carved in the form of a standing owl. Each owl has a short beak and deeply sunken eyes. Their long bodies have small bellies protruding above their legs, which form the legs of the complete metate.
Metate technology was initially developed to grind corn. However, metates evolved into significant ritual objects, replete with strong iconography and intriguing sculptural forms. Larger scale examples, but with a similar degree of decorative carving and iconographic symbolism, were sometimes used for grinding corn. The owl was an animal associated in Mesoamerican myth with the underworld and death, as well as with shamanism, which may explain the artistic decision to include it in this funerary object.