Description:

Mexico, Aztec, ca. 1420 to 1521 CE. This is a pair of stamps that would have been used by the Aztecs for marking documents such as codices; unfortunately most codices were either burned by Aztec emperors or the Spanish clergy following the conquest of Mesoamerica. Stamps like this may also have been used for creating body art during ritual ceremonies. One stamp is round and has concentric circles with triangular shapes; the other is rectangular and features a squared-off snake- or labyrinth-like pattern. Both have handles; the round one has a hole through the top of the handle, so may have been tied and worn on a belt or around the neck. Size: Circular one is 2-3/4" in diameter x 2-3/4"H; rectangular one is 2-1/4" x 1-1/2" x 1".

Provenance: Ex-private Houston, TX collection acquired locally at auction or art gallery between 1983 and 1995.

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#108215

  • Condition: The circular stamp has some dirt caking but the design is completely intact except for one very small triangle. The rectangular stamp is chipped around the edges.

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November 5, 2015 8:00 AM MST
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