Lot of 5 Colima Obsidian Necklace Pendants

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Ancient | Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Mar 4, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-03-04 10:00:00 2021-03-04 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient | Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-6467
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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A magnificent ensemble of five hand-knapped obsidian pectoral pendants/beads, two carved from mahogany obsidian (volcanic glass with iron inclusions), each one rendered in a curved shape perhaps intended to conjure lunar crescents, one of the mahogany obsidian pendants with a ridged border, all with perforations at either end for suspension. Obsidian carvings were coveted offerings found in Colima tombs. Colima, located on Mexico's southwestern coast, was part of the shaft tomb tradition, along with neighbors to the north in Jalisco and Nayarit. In this culture, the deceased were interred in shafts, approximately 3 to 20 meters deep, that were dug vertically or near vertically through the volcanic tuff that makes up the geology of the region. The base of the shaft would open into one or more horizontal chambers with low ceilings. These shafts were almost always dug beneath a dwelling, probably a family home, and scholars posit that they were likely used as family mausoleums, housing the remains of many related individuals. Size of largest: 6.4" L x 0.625" W (16.3 cm x 1.6 cm); (display case): 12.25" L x 8.25" W (31.1 cm x 21 cm)
  
  Obsidian - "iztli" to them - fascinated the ancient Mesoamericans; the Aztecs even had a god, Tezcatlipoca, who was the Lord of the Smoking Obsidian Mirror; indeed obsidian was used to create mirrors as well. Furthermore, in a world without metal, obsidian's ability to be sharp was also especially important for ceremonies of ritual bloodletting and human sacrifice. The difficult-to-obtain material came from volcanic sources in the Sierra Madre of Mexico and in Guatemala, was traded hundreds of miles to meet the demand for sharp cutting tools and ritual objects, and then was struck using a deer antler or small hammer stones to form blades and coveted forms like these.
  
  Provenance: ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Arkansas, USA, 1950s to 1960s
  
  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.
  
  #161382

  Condition

  Nicks to peripheries of all items commensurate with knapping process, with light abrasions and encrustations to faces, otherwise intact and excellent. Great surface smoothness throughout.
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