Description:

Latin America, Mexico, Spanish Colonial Period, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. This is a spectacular and intimidating machete knife with a massive steel blade and silver fittings over a bone grip. This blade has a single cutting-edge design, and a thick spine, tapering to a pointed tip. The tang is encased in a high quality 86.3% to 90.4% silver guard with a projecting thumb rest, twisted silver wires over a polished bone grip, and a silver pommel cap cast into a rosette. Machetes were used for both combat and practical purposes like harvesting crops, slaughtering animals, and carving wood. The ornate style and use of silver on this fine example suggest that this served mainly as decoration and occasional protection rather than utilitarian functions. Size: 17.75" L x 1" W (45.1 cm x 2.5 cm); (blade): 12.8" L x 1.25" W (32.5 cm x 3.2 cm); silver quality: 86.3% to 90.4%

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168734

  • Condition: Blade is in great condition, minor surface nicks and black toning and patina. Silver wires are slightly loose and bent. Chips and stable fissures on bone grip. Abrasion to the metal rivet on the pommel and russet patina. Pommel rosette is intact and very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

February 24, 2022 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000