Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A beautiful hand-carved greenstone celt of a mottled sage-green hue with brown and black inclusions. The tool is ovoid in form with rounded ends, and both sides were meticulously flaked and then sanded smooth to a reflective sheen. The celt is a tapered hand tool of a highly stylized ritual form with ceremonial and funerary purposes. Designed for a votive function, this is a wonderful piece of art which exemplifies the arduous process of ancient lapidary techniques! Size: 2.25" W x 8.625" H (5.7 cm x 21.9 cm); 8.9" H (22.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-Merrin Gallery, New York, New York, USA; ex-private New York, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s

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#148187

  • Condition: Minor abrasions to both faces and small nicks to both ends, otherwise intact and excellent. Great smooth surface texture throughout.

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August 6, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$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