Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A charming pair of stone lizard pendants, both hand-carved from smooth and colorful stones. The first is made from a deep green stone and the second is a contrasting brick-red hue. They share similar profiles: both crouching, stylized with straight, rounded tails, and legs bent to the sides. Incised lines detail their limbs and faces. Their eyes are drilled into the surface to create shallow areas for stone or shell inlays to decorate their visages. Both are pierced for suspension, the larger one just before the legs and the other through the neck. The surface is delightfully tactile and smooth on both from hours of pecking and polishing the surface. These charming lizards are captivating and may have been protective effigies. Size (green lizard): 4.5" L x 1" W (11.4 cm x 2.5 cm); (red lizard): 3.5" L x 1" W (8.9 cm x 2.5 cm)
Provenance: private J. Hart collection, Houston, Texas, USA, acquired in 1998; ex-Miguel Meija collection, acquired prior to the 1970s
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#167554
Condition
Both are intact and very good. Minor surface wear and mineral deposits as shown.