Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Caribbean, Taino, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. Carved in the form of a near perfect sphere, this is a wood ball created by the Taino peoples, perhaps for use in a ceremonial ball game. Hand-carved spheres like this one are found in burials of the Ciboney and Taino people. Ball courts have been found in parts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, where a Mesoamerican ballgame was played with a rubber ball. It is possible that this stone ball was a votive object or trophy for the ball game. Given its orb-like appearance, scholars have also suggested that it may have been created to symbolize the sun or another celestial body. Size: 3.1" Diameter (7.9 cm); 3.6" H (9.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-Bob Dowling collection, San Francisco, California, USA, acquired 1990 to 2010

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#171729

  • Condition: Expected minor losses, as well as nicks, chips, and stable fissures, commensurate with age. Slightly flattened on 1 side. Otherwise, very nice with lovely patina.

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July 21, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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