Lot 85A
**Originally Listed At $2000**
Pre-Columbian, Hispaniola, Greater Antilles Islands, Taino / Arawak Indians, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. Carved from a rich, dark stone, a very expressive Zemi. Note the meticulously pecked and incised skeletal features of the face - those round deep-socketed eye orbitals, that prominent curved boney nose with pecked nostrils, that wide open mouth revealing seemingly countless menacing teeth, and that decorative headband with striated and matte glyphs adorning it, set between the zemi's circular ears. Zemi figures are among the only pieces specifically referenced by Spanish chroniclers of the 15th century - and this is a fabulous example. Size: 6.125" L x 4.5" W x 6.375" H (15.6 cm x 11.4 cm x 16.2 cm)
Taino art is comprised of many cult objects associated with the worship of "zemis". The term zemi refers to deities, ancestors, or earth spirits. The Zemi (or Cemi) head, with its characteristic three cardinal points, is a fundamental symbol in the Taino religion. Tainos traditionally name the three points "Yocahu Bagua Maorocoti" -- another word for the Creator, Yaya. Zemis like this example are believed to be inhabited by powerful spirits. The uppermost point represents the top of this sacred mountain peak, in the turey (sky) of the four directions, where Yaya - the Creator, whose name means that which has neither beginning nor end and which has no male ancestor or creator - resides. The 'chin' point represents Coabey, the underworld or place of the dead. Here Hupia, the spirit of the dead, resides, and the face of Guayaba, the Chief of Coabey, is represented. Finally, the opposite point represents the land of the living where Goiz, the spirit of living people, resides. A similar three-pointer example is shown in fig. 29a, p. 117 in "The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus", (Irving Rouse, 1992).
Provenance: private Stillwater, Minnesota, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private Shenassa collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, from a Los Angeles collection formed before 2000
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.
#179250
- Condition: Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Old nicks to high-pointed areas. Nice pecking marks and liberal traces of red pigment in recessed eye orbitals and nostrils. Stone also shows beautiful black inclusions and scattered deposits.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
8. IN-HOUSE SHIPPING: All buyers will receive an invoice detailing their purchases, sales tax (if applicable), buyer's premium, and shipping/insurance charges. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. We are currently experiencing shipping delays due to staff shortages, please allow up to 15 days for shipping after payment is received. If you prefer to work with a third-party shipper, we can assist with recommendations.
**Please note, we are currently unable to ship to Australia, Germany and Switzerland due to customs clearance issues. If you are in one of these countries, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase.*
**For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Gallery will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. There are a small number of international countries we cannot ship to. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding**
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| 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 |