Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central Mexico, Aztec culture 12th c - 15th c. This large ear spool was made of wood that was ornately adorned with a mosaic of inlaid shell tesserae. Ear spools made from a variety of materials including wood, bone, ceramics or leather were worn throughout Aztec society, regardless of a person's gender or status . Only senior nobles and rulers wore gold and precious stones so as to reflect the Aztec social hierarchy. The practice of wearing ear spools marked one's transition to adulthood according to scholar Rosemary A. Joyce in Gender and Power in Prehispanic Mesoamerica(2000). Aztec children had their ears perforated when they were about eight years old, and as they grew older, their transition to adulthood was marked by the "habitual use of ear spools". The size and elaborate decoration on this example indicates that it was proudly worn to demonstrate that transition. ~2"L x 1-1/8"D

Provenance: Ex-Mark Poolos collection, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970

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.

  • Condition: Expected surface wear and loss of bits of mosaic. Else intact and very good to excellent.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

May 21, 2014 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% 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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000