Description:

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE; Maya territories, ca. 500 to 950 CE; Costa Rica, ca. 800 to 1200 CE. A charming ensemble of 4 pre-Columbian artifacts: a terracotta turtle from Colima culture, a stone whistle, and 2 pottery whistles. Hand-carved from coral pink-hued stone by the ancient Maya, the first whistle is in the form of a kneeling, nude female wearing a beaded necklace as she places both hands on her bulging, likely-pregnant belly. Alternatively, the pottery whistles are from Costa Rica and take the shape of a lizard climbing atop the head of a bird and a seated anthropomorphic figure with a flattened head, an extended serpentine tongue, and both arms bent at the elbows with hoof-like hands raised. Size of largest (turtle): 3.1" L x 2" W x 1" H (7.9 cm x 5.1 cm x 2.5 cm)

Provenance: private Southern California collection, USA, bestowed 2006; ex-J. Malter collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired before 2006

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#133891

  • Condition: Whistles no longer function. Turtle has professional repair and restoration to 1 foot, neck, and tail and losses to 3 feet. Professional repair to head of lizard. All have light surface wear. Otherwise, stone whistle and anthropomorphic whistle are intact and all are very nice.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

February 22, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000