Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A titanic example of an elongated trapezoidal celt bearing mottled green, blue-green, beige, white, and gray hues within the serpentine matrix. The hefty head features an acutely angled edge along the widest end, a bifacial design with rounded and meticulously smoothed surfaces, and a tapered handle end with a rounded butt. The celt is a tapered hand tool of a highly stylized ritual form with ceremonial and funerary purposes. Since not all celts were created as implements of ritual sacrifice, scholars posit that many were intended to be buried as votive offerings with rulers or individuals of high wealth and social standing. Size: 4" W x 14.8" H (10.2 cm x 37.6 cm); 15" H (38.1 cm) on included custom stand.
For another example of a celt along with some additional information, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1994.35.381
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Everett Rassiga collection formed between 1950 and 1960.
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#157073
Condition
Restoration to small areas of butt end and side of blade head, with in-fill material along areas of butt, handle, and upper body, and resurfacing with overpainting along new material and break lines. Abrasions and nicks to handle and body, with light encrustations within some chipped areas. Great surface smoothness throughout. Old inventory label on verso of butt.