PREFACE. 



This volume is chiefly the result of a careful study of the unparalleled collec- 

 . tions of Chiriquian antiquities belonging to Yale University. These, and especially 

 the gold ornaments, have been supplemented by other collections, public and 

 private, notably those of Mr. George G. Heye and of Mr. Minor C. Keith, both 

 of New York. If the work has merits, they are due in no small measure to the 

 character and extent of the collections examined. Its defects should be ascribed 

 in part, at least, to the fact that, having been prevented by force of circumstances 

 from visiting the region in question, my investigations have been limited to 

 museums and libraries. For this reason the choice of title : " A Study of Chir- 

 iquian Antiquities," would seem to be particularly appropriate. Unless otherwise 

 stated in their description, the illustrations are from specimens in the Yale 

 collection. 



From the view-point of conventionalism, the art of Chiriqui is so instructive that 

 much space is given to the evolution of decorative motives from animal forms. 

 In this connection, I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to two previous writers 

 on the subject. Professor F. W. Putnam of Cambridge. Mass.. and Professor 

 William H. Holmes of Washington, D.C. The nature of the study has necessitated 

 the free use of illustrations, in the preparation of which much care has been 

 bestowed. With the exception of the drawings from tracings, the illustration from 

 de Bry (fig. 324). and the five cuts (figs. 277, 278, 331. 332. 365), for the use of 

 which my thanks are due to the Bureau of American Ethnology, they were all 

 made for this volume by Mr. Rudolph Weber of New York, and his assistant, 

 Mr. William Baake. The cost of the drawings, both pen-and-ink and water-color, 

 has been borne by Mrs. Evelyn MacCurdy Salisbury of New Haven, without whose 

 generous cooperation the work could not have been prepared. 



Among others whom I desire to thank for cooperation in various ways should 

 be mentioned Professor Charles Schuchert for facilities at the Museum. Professor 

 Joseph Barrell for determining the nature of the materials from which the stone 

 objects were made, Mr. Max Dessauer for testing the powers of the musical in- 

 struments. Professor J. W. D. Ingersoll for the translation of a sixteenth century 

 text, and Professor B. B. Boltwood, Dr. C. H. Mathewson, Dr. George F. Kunz of 

 New York, and Mr. Harry N. Ray, for measurements, tests and observations bearing 

 on the metal work. 



In New York also where my studies led me, are a number to whom I am 

 much indebted. Mr. George G. Heye and Mr. Minor C. Keith both placed their 

 valuable Chiriquian (and Costa Rican) collections at my disposal, as did also 

 Mr. Edwin Lamson. Dr. Wm. f. Lamson, the Lenox Branch of the New York Public 

 Library through Mr. Wilberforce Eames and Mr. W. A. Elliot, and the Metropolitan 

 Museum of Art through Sir Purdon Clarke and Mr. John H. Buck. To Professor 

 M. H. Saville of Columbia University. I am likewise under obligations for access 

 to comparative material and for valuable suggestions. 



