**Originally Listed At $300**
Northern Africa, Sahara Desert, Neolithic period, ca. 10,000 to 6000 BCE. A great pair of stone blades perhaps for handheld use. They are both hand-knapped from a creamy gray and brown chert with delightfully tactile and smooth surfaces. The forms are similar, with each featuring a thick butt end with a straight edge for gripping, a stocky body, and an acutely angled blade edge that encircles the perimeter to the rounded tip. The brown axe is thicker and convex on both sides, whereas the other axe has one convex and one slightly flatter face. These tools were used by ancient humans adapting to the changing climate of the Sahara - during this time period, weather conditions called the Neolithic Subpluvial meant that the Sahara was a green, fertile landscape, ideal for hunter and gathering cultures. Size of each (both are relatively similar): 4.6" L x 1.6" W (11.7 cm x 4.1 cm)
Provenance: ex-private Toluca Lake, California, USA collection
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
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.
#164410
Condition
Chips to faces and peripheries commensurate with age and use, otherwise both are intact and excellent. Smooth surface textures throughout both!