Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rican, Nicoya region, Atlantic Watershed, ca. 300 to 500 CE. An intriguing and abstract anthropomorphic figure known as an axe god, hand-carved from a mottled green stone with scattered dark-green inclusions. The planar figure displays string-cut and bow-drilled decorations such as eyes, teeth, nostrils, and neck line, and the lower body is a gently tapering blade edge - hence the name "axe god." The eyes are accentuated with applied red pigment that creates a wondrous effect on the orbitals. A biconically drilled suspension hole through the neck suggests this carving was worn as a pendant by the living or the dead. Size: 2.375" W x 6.75" H (6 cm x 17.1 cm); 7.6" H (19.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Art for Eternity, New York, USA; ex-Skinner Auction, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA; ex-private Los Angeles, California, 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.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#178892

  • Condition: Light abrasions, minor softening to some finer details, and some fading to pigment in eye sockets, otherwise intact and excellent. Great surface smoothness and preservation to overall form.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

June 15, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% 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