Description:

Pre-Columbian, Maya Territories, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A circular disc-shaped pendant, finely carved from beautiful greenstone of sage hues with white and russet inclusions and biconically drilled through the center - perfectly smooth! The value of greenstone for ancient people lay in its symbolic power, as its color was associated with water and vegetation. The Maya craftsmen employed many lapidary techniques - percussion, pecking, grinding, drilling, etc. - in order to achieve fabulous effects. These techniques were sometimes thought to imbue the pieces wih meaning. In fact drilling a hole through the center of this piece was likely believed to bring the stone to life. Size: 2.5" in diameter (6.4 cm)

Provenance: ex-Hilja K. Herfurth collection, Denver, Colorado, USA

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#147247

  • Condition: Nicks to peripheries commensurate with age. Staining on one side. Otherwise excellent. Nice root marks as well. Lucite stand for photo display purposes and is not included.

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July 25, 2019 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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