Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A beautiful celt, hand-carved from a mottled greenstone with both light and dark inclusions. The celt has a rounded handle base, acutely-angled sides, two ovoid faces which taper gently to a thin edge, and a lustrous, meticulously polished sheen. The celt is a tapered hand tool of a highly-stylized ritual form with ceremonial or funerary purposes. Designed for a votive function, this is a fabulous piece of art which exemplifies the arduous process of ancient stone sculpting techniques! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.875" W x 3" H (4.8 cm x 7.6 cm); 3.875" H (9.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private H. J. Westermann collection, Germany; ex-Butterfields (Bonhams)

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#133773

  • Condition: Age-commensurate surface wear, with one very minor nick to blade edge, otherwise intact and very good. Old inventory sticker on verso.

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July 19, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000