Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. This is a large cutting blade, hand-knapped from a jet-black obsidian stone. The obsidian is flaked into a bifacial shape, with one convex face, and a slightly curved, petaloid profile. A sharp edge encircles the entirety of the blade, but the rounded butt end fits very comfortably in the right hand, with the pointed tip outwards; this piece could also be hafted to a handle as well. Obsidian flakes to a razor sharp and glassy surface which was invaluable to hunters as they were more effective at cutting than other stones. In fact, surgeons today sometimes use obsidian because obsidian tools can be thinner and sharper than steel tools! Size: 4.5" L x 2" W (11.4 cm x 5.1 cm)
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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#152935
Condition
Chips and losses to peripheries from use and age, otherwise intact with large flaking patterns. Scattered mineral and earthen deposits on convex surface.