Description:

Nazca, ca. 400-600 CE. The Nazca were a sophisticated, desert-dwelling people who at the same time practiced customs that are disturbing to our modern sensibilities -- human sacrifice, decapitation to collect "trophy heads" of their military foes, as well as "partial burials" of their victims, including bundles of limbs and caches of severed heads. This rare, carved human femur was clearly isolated from these bundles and used to create a work of "body art" that depicts heads, limbs, and nature motifs. The Nazca had no writing system. Instead they relied on a glyphic system to represent their spiritual visions centered on the natural world. Many of the forms carved on the bone intriguingly resemble miniature interpretations of the legendary Nazca Lines, those enormous earth drawings of animal figures created by the ancients. This bone with its carvings of myriad avian figures, serpent creatures, and celestial forms reflects the Nazca Line artists' powerful practice of presenting nature's fauna to the sky. 10 3/4"L. Museum-grade stand available for small extra charge. Please inquire. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids, papered by our parent company, Artemis Gallery Ancient Art. The starting price is the lowest price at which the lot can sell.

  • Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970
  • Condition: Remarkably fine condition, some minor losses as shown.

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October 11, 2013 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000