Description:

This stunning greenstone pendant, hailing from Costa Rica's Caribbean Watershed and dating to the Linea Vieja Period III (500 BCE - 500 CE), represents the iconic "Beak-bird" style unique to this region. Masterfully carved in profile, the bird features a strikingly long, spiraling bill—a distinctive form often seen in this cultural tradition. Created from a single piece of greenstone, the artisan used advanced techniques, such as a string saw with plant fibers or animal skin and abrasive materials, to shape the bill's intricate spiral. A drilled hole at the neck allows for suspension, suggesting this piece was once proudly worn as a pendant.. Size: 1.5" W x 1.8" H (3.8 cm x 4.6 cm)

A similar greenstone bird pendant can be found at Dumbarton Oaks under accession number PC.B.255. Another bird pendant hammered $6,931 (now equivalent to $11,400.77) at Christie's New York on November 12, 2004 (lot 87, Live Auction 1537, "Important Pre-Columbian Art A European Private Collection").

Provenance: private Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA collection, acquired 1969 to 1970; ex-Dr. Jorge Lineas, San Jose, Costa Rica

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.

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#187824

  • Condition: Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise intact and in excellent condition with smooth surfaces. Wearable as a pendant.

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Shipping

SHIPPING LOGISTICS: As a courtesy to our clients worldwide, Artemis Gallery is happy to handle shipping for most lots sold, taking the hassle (and high cost!) out of having to arrange shipping on your own. Shipping costs will be added to your invoice at auction's end based on information given when you registered to bid - we strive to offer the most economical shipping costs to ensure safe transit. Our shippers of choice are DHL for International shipments and UPS for domestic shipments, but we are able to ship via other carriers at the buyer's expense as deemed necessary or by request.

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November 22, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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