Description:

Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Incan Empire, ca. 1200 to 1532 CE. A beautiful bead, hand-carved from a mottled cobalt-hued stone with white veining known as sodalite. The figure sits upon attenuated legs and holds a small bowl in front of its slender abdomen with both arms, with a stocky neck supporting an enlarged head. The minimalist visage is composed of almond-shaped eyes, a prominent nose with delineated nostrils, large ears, and parted lips, all beneath a simple cap. Bright red cinnabar accents are rubbed into areas surrounding the ears, mouth, arms, and legs, giving a vibrant contrast to the violet blue color of the stone. Biconically-drilled from the top of the head through the base, this bead would have likely served as a pendant on a larger necklace or accessory. Size: 0.3" W x 0.8" H (0.8 cm x 2 cm).

Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

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#134810

  • Condition: Surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age, light fading to carved details and red cinnabar accents, and light roughness around head and base, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits within drilled hole. Nice traces of cinnabar accents quite visible.

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July 19, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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