Lot 100
**Originally Listed At $800**
Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Valdivia culture, ca. 3500 to 1800 BCE. A very fine greenstone celt or axe head that is comprised of a straight handle side and slightly flared corners, with a convex body that tapers to a rounded cutting edge. This celt was formed by pecking and grinding until smooth. The slight lateral projections on the handle edge may have made this blade head easier to attach to a wooden pole or handle. Hand axes of this form have been found as part of the Kotosh Religious tradition, a name that archaeologists have given to ritual buildings built between 3000 and 1500 BCE in the mountain drainages of the Andes. Celts like this one, although shaped like a utilitarian tool, were made specifically for ritual purposes and were often buried with people of importance. The surface of this stone is pleasantly tactile and well preserved! Size: 6" W x 7.4" H (15.2 cm x 18.8 cm); 9.6" H (24.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private West Hollywood, California, USA collection; ex-private Glendale, California, USA collection; ex-private Ventura County, 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.
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#179175
- Condition: Minor chip to one side of blade edge, and some nicks and abrasions to surface, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice preservation of form.
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| 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 |