Pre-Columbian, Olmec, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A massive ceremonial celt of a characteristically tapered form with a sharp, curved edge, finely carved from a greenstone boasting brilliant blue-green hues with inclusions of seafoam green, black, and golden hues that create a dynamic 'marbled' pattern across the entire surface. Recent scholarship has linked the embrace of green serpentine and jade pieces by the Olmec to the importance of corn in the Olmec economy as greenstone along with quetzal plumes symbolized verdant maize, a most valuable staple, to the indigenous peoples. In fact, greenstone celts like this example symbolized ears of corn and were used as a form of currency by the Olmec. (Karl A. Taube, Olmec Art at Dumbarton Oaks, 1996, p. 18) A striking ritualistic hand tool created by the Olmec, impressive for its grand scale, fine form, rich symbolism, and inherent beauty of the stone. Custom, museum quality stand. Size: celt itself measures 2.625" W x 15" H (6.7 cm x 38.1 cm); 15.75" H (40 cm) on stand.

Provenance: Ex-Private Florida collection given to him by Governor of Veracruz in 1986

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