Description:

**Originally Listed At $75**

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Manteno culture, ca. 800 to 1500 CE. A wonderful group of ten hand-built terracotta spindle whorl beads, each vertically pierced for suspension. Three of the beads have incised possum-themed motifs; the possum represents the duality of life itself as well as the mortality of humankind. The remaining seven beads have diverse geometric patterns on the surfaces, with repeating circular, linear, and spiralized motifs. The abstract geometric patterns are likely representative of certain creatures of the ancient world, like snails, lizards, or snakes, though the true meaning behind such iconography has sadly been lost to the sands of time. A lovely gathering from ancient Ecuador! Size of largest (all fairly similar in size): 0.5" W (1.3 cm).

Provenance: ex-Hank Johnson collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired prior to 2000; HD-Enterprise, Denver

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#129788

  • Condition: All spindle whorls have age-commensurate surface wear and abrasions, light deposits within incised designs, otherwise intact and very good.

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April 30, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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