Beautiful and rare ceremonial tripod metate with a floating panel decorated with three saurians rising on each of the three feet of the metate covering a beautiful anthropo-zoomorphic figure standing with arms spread out and a long curved nose evoking a deity, a mythological character, or a state of transformation. Stone, beautiful patina from use and burial. Veraguas culture, Panama 300 to 700 A.D. Height : 36 ; Length : 53 cm (Small minor surface scratches on the metate, restoration on a broken saurian stuck in four places) Provenance : Acquired from Robert Vergnes .