Wall sherd from object IV Ca 41131a. The fragment was smoothed, slurried and primed on both sides. Its exterior is painted in polychrome. The pottery has a white-yellowish base colour, which was painted red, orange and black-brown on the outside of the object. Ribbon-shaped decorations appear on the fragment. According to Bransford 1881: Sta. Helena ware. According to Lothrop 1926: Nicoya polychrome ware. Cultural significance: the objects of the Papagayo Policromo group represent the beginning of polychrome painting on a white-yellowish ground in the Gran Nicoya region. The tradition lasted until the Policromo Tardío (1350-1520d.C.). Their decoration shows a strong Mesoamerican influence. This manifested itself in the replacement of lizard and bat themes with depictions of cats of prey and snakes. The ceramics served as supra-regional trade goods. (Künne 2004)