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Pre-Columbian art refers to the creations of the Maya, the Aztecs, the Inca, and Native North Americans, encompassing the art of indigenous people of North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean prior to the arrival of the Spanish at the beginning of the 16th century. Mesoamerica refers to Central America, when discussing a cultural region in the Americas, covering areas from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica.

There were two main cultures, the Aztecs in Mesoamerica and the Incas of Peru. Both cultures created impressive art and architecture. They built massive monuments from such primitive ways. The Mayans of Mesoamerica were amazingly advanced in mathematics and astronomy.  They were overrun by Aztecs from the north in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, who in turn were conquered by the Spanish in 1519. The conquest of Peru followed in 1532.

The Pre-Columbian cultures had a belief that the end of the world was periodically imminent. They believed this could only be averted by human sacrifice. Their gods, were depicted as monsters who could only be satisfied by blood, by torture and sacrifice. There are still some of these beliefs in Pre-Columbian superstition have never stopped.

The Mayans created pyramids, stone sculpture, and hieroglyphic writing in cities in the Yucatan, but these were largely wiped out by the Aztecs in the 12th century. The Aztecs also created massive structures at their capital, Tenochtitlán. These civilizations were taken over by European settlers at the beginning of the 16th century. Many elements of Pre-Columbian language and culture survive throughout the Americas up to the present day.

For more information about Pre-Columbian art, contact our art department or take a look at some our pieces featured here. We appreciate you inquiries.

The Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle Gold Coin is considered by expert numismatists to be one of the most beautiful coins the US Mint ever produced, and varieties of high-relief strikes among the most expensive coins ever sold at auction.

Alphonse Mucha created a new movement with his art as a pioneer in the advertising industry. His work helped shape the illustration advertising business as we know it today. Mucha's advertising illustrations in French art in the late 1800's and early 1900's were the foundation of the International Art Nouveau movement.

Mucha wanted to produce artwork with such detail that he began using photographs he took to paint his subjects. He began photographing models daily for his works. 

Mucha gained much of his recognition and notoriety from his collaboration with Sarah Bernhardt in his posters and her ability to keep public attention. He attempted to move out of the commercial art market and into fine art. At the same time he and Bernhardt developed the poster to promote LU cookies. This is believed to be the first celebrity endorsement on poster art and his artwork continued to be successful in marketing products. These famous posters led to Mucha's success in the fine art world.

While he created a variety of other styles of artwork. Alphonse Mucha is still most well known for his Art Nouveau works. 

Check out some of our Mucha Collection items here 

We have one of the largest Mucha Collections available from the Mucha Foundation.

One of Tiffany & Co.'s most iconic and lasting designs is their "Return to" Tiffany brand. Originally created for key rings inscribed with specific serial numbers, the instructions "Please return to Tiffany & Co. New York" helped Tiffany reunite numerous owners with their lost keys.

The design is best known stamped on charms that adorn Tiffany's trademark loop chain link bracelets and necklaces. The quality and attention to detail is so great that each loop is hand-soldered shut by Tiffany's master jewelers.

Since then, Tiffany has used the design for everything from gold stud earrings to blue enamel bead necklaces. Check out our Tiffany jewelry here!