Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico / Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A hand carved serpentine effigy pendant with suspension holes pierced into the upper periphery, and an incised face on the verso. This piece may have also functioned as a ritualistic spoon, weaving implement, bloodletting tool, paint palette, or snuff tray for the ingestion of hallucinogens. This object's use and symbolism are equally ambiguous with some scholars suggesting that the shape resembles a winged oyster or Pteria, while others suggest the shape is similar to the body of a tadpole or a long-tailed bird, or even corn! Regardless of secondary use, Olmec sculpture feature such pendants worn as pectorals to convey symbolic power. The incised face has good remains of red pigment that stand out against the dark serpentine surface and must have been quite prominent when worn! Size: 7.875" L x 1.6" W (20 cm x 4.1 cm)

For a similar example, please see the Brooklyn Museum's website, accession number: L73.15.1.

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired prior to January 1, 2010

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#174984

  • Condition: Repaired with hairline break line across midsection. Old loss to tip. Surface covered in clear fixative to preserved surface. Light remains of red pigment in incised area.

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October 27, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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