Ancient American art, 3500 BC-AD 1532 : masterworks of the pre-Columbian era /

From ancient Valdivian figurines and vessels dating back to 3500 b.c. to Incan and Aztec objects created just before the Spanish explorers landed, this is a story of discovery that spans 50 centuries, stretches from southern Peru to northern Mexico, and is still ongoing. This expansive survey of pre-Columbian art includes images of gods, portraits of men and women, representations of animals and plants, and objects of pure abstraction. The beautifully photographed pieces--all from the Jimmy and Leonora Belilty collection--reveal the artists' mastery over their materials, as well as their workmanship and conceptual creativity.