• Diquis culture, Southern Costa Rica, Central America / Taino culture, Cuba, Central America

• Pre-Columbian, 500 - 1500 AD

• Gabbro, Sandstone, Limestone

• Set of 3 as pictured

• Diameters from left to right: 2.75, 3.25, 2 in./ 7, 8.5, 5 cm

• Custom mounted to compliment the organic nature of the spheres - on weathered California Bay Laurel with hand-carved plum wood cups on a patinated bronze base 16.25 x 3 x 6 h in. / 41.5 x 7.5 cm and 15 h cm

• Provenance: Ex Bob Dowling

Little is known about the stone spheres of Costa Rica. The balls were originally found in the Diquis Delta area. The Diquis culture disappeared after the Spanish conquest.

In the local Bribri mythology, Tlatchque (Tara) the god of thunder, used blowpipes to shoot the balls at Serkes, the gods of wind and hurricanes, to protect the region from their forces.

The stone spheres are found all over the world in various concentrations yet there is only supposition as to their purpose. There is documentation of a game played by the Miwok males, in Yosemite. While standing on one foot, without moving that foot, the ball was balanced and tossed from the other foot.

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