Description:

Central America, Guatemala, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A fine pair of hand-carved wooden slingshots (known as ondillas in Spanish) in the form of standing skeletons. The shorter slingshot features a skeleton simian with raised arms, an emaciated body, and a trio of smaller simian figures clinging to the chest and integral pole beneath the posterior. The taller slingshot exhibits an anthropoid skeleton with arms held to hips, delineated legs, broad shoulders, and a round head surmounted by a trapezoidal headdress. Each ondilla has a pair of rubber strands and either a leather or woven-fiber sling. Size of largest (anthropoid skeleton): 2.2" W x 7.3" H (5.6 cm x 18.5 cm).

Provenance: ex-House of Ancestors collection; ex-private Galisteo, New Mexico, USA collection

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#148935

  • Condition: Rubber strands of shorter slingshot had small tears that could rupture if pulled. Both items have minor nicks and abrasions to bodies, with softening to some finer details, and light encrustations within some recessed areas, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits and great patina throughout.

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November 14, 2019 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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