Art of the Ancient Americas 

The Crocker’s collection of sculpture, pottery, textiles, and paintings from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, brings together work form many geographic and cultural regions. The collection spans four continents and features a wide array of objects that demonstrate the craftsmanship, histories, and rich traditions of these artists and cultures.

The Crocker’s collection of art of the Ancient Americas spans nearly 2,000 years and includes examples from throughout Mesoamerica, Central America, and South America, complementing the Crocker’s collection of works by indigenous artists in North America. The collection, which began with a few examples of western Mexican clay sculpture, has grown to include fine examples of human and animal figures made in clay, and ceramic vessels from Costa Rica, Peru, and Ecuador. Many of these were used for both ceremonial practices and everyday uses, and while the collection primarily focuses on objects produced prior to the arrival of Europeans, they reflect long-standing aesthetic traditions that can also be seen in more contemporary examples.

Works from this Collection Area

Seated Female Figure Zacatecas, Mexico (3rd century) 3rd Century 2018.9.4
Seated Female Figure
Zacatecas, Mexico (3rd century)
Small Storage Jar (ichilla tinaja) with Turtle and Anaconda Motif Esthela Dagua 20th Century 2016.23.5
Small Storage Jar (ichilla tinaja) with Turtle and Anaconda Motif
Esthela Dagua
Water Carrier Moche culture, Peru (3rd–8th centuries) 5th Century,6th Century,7th Century 2018.51.3
Water Carrier
Moche culture, Peru (3rd–8th centuries)

Collection Areas