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THBHuge Costa Rican Stone Metate
Lot 189a
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,200 - $3,300
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Jun 20, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-06-20 10:00:00
2019-06-20 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Ancient / Ethnographic From Around the World
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-from-around-the-world-4217
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! All categories, all price ranges.. all legal Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! All categories, all price ranges.. all legal Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (447)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, Atlantic Watershed, ca. 800 to 1200 CE. A beautiful ceremonial metate of a massive size, hand-carved from a single piece of grey volcanic stone. The lightly-concave grinding platform has a rough egg-shaped form - wider on one end than on the other - and the entire platform is supported by a trio of inward-slanting legs. Metate technology initially developed for the purpose of grinding corn; however, metates evolved into meaningful ritual objects over time. More elaborate metates boast extensive carved zoomorphic imagery for use in seating a departed lord for his journey to the afterlife, though the undecorated presentation of this example suggests this was intended as a utilitarian tool. Size: 25" L x 17" W x 7.25" H (63.5 cm x 43.2 cm x 18.4 cm).
The many uses of metates in ancient Mesoamerica signify its various symbolic meanings. The metate was created primarily to pulverize certain foodstuffs like seeds, certain varieties of plants, and most importantly maize. Maize has been a life source for ancient Costa Rican peoples for centuries, and its abundance during the harvest season was believed to indicate whether society as a whole would prosper or struggle in the coming months. The wealth of corn was also suggestive of not only the fertility of the land, but also those who tended to it. The ruler who likely used metates like this example as a throne would essentially be a physical embodiment of the assurance or dread felt within his people of the fertility and thus the survival of their land.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex-Alfred E. Stendahl collection, Stendahl Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#126385Repairs to one leg and a few areas around the periphery, with light restoration to peripheral areas. Small chips and abrasions to grinding platform and legs, with light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits throughout.Condition
- Shipping Info
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