Cylindrical vessel with a hollow base that is almost completely fragmented. There was a high, fragmented head protome on the wall. The object has been smoothed, slurried and primed on both sides. Its exterior is polychrome painted and polished. The primer and paint are partially eroded. There are several small fractures on the rim. The pottery has a white-yellowish base colour, which was painted red, orange and black-brown on the outside of the vessel. A black-brown band runs along the rim. Below this are two raised red bands. A surrounding frieze appears on the neck, showing interlocking stepped elements. A fragmented protome is attached to the motif band. The body is decorated with two opposing zoomorphic motifs, which Lothrop (1926) interprets as ape-like figures. They show a red-orange creature with a rhombic body. The figures turn their heads to the side and spread their extremities. There are five red bands running round the base. Irregular traces of a white-yellowish ground appear on the inside of the neck. A red band runs below the rim. According to Bransford 1881: Sta. Helena ware. According to Lothrop 1926: Nicoya polychrome ware, monkey, type A. 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.). Its decoration shows a strong Mesoamerican influence. This manifests 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)