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THBMassive Olmec Jade Celt
Lot 102
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:
$12,000 - $18,000
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Bid Increments
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|---|---|
| $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
Feb 18, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-02-18 10:00:00
2021-02-18 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-6373
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (356)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 900 to 600 BCE. A spectacular and massive celt made from a beautiful jade stone. This celt is an ancient tool, shaped like an axe head with a rounded blade and slightly incurved sides that form a straight edge. The surface is delightfully smooth in texture; formed over many hours using painstaking techniques by master artisans. The lovely green hues of the jade made this a desirable piece, and jade held symbolic power for ancient cultures; perhaps its color was associated with water and vegetation. In Mesoamerica, from the time of the Olmec civilization, the simple blade was associated with agriculture and food, since stone axe heads were used for clearing fields. However, a stunning jade celt such as this one would have been used in important ritual ceremonies. Size: 10.5" L x 4.125" W (26.7 cm x 10.5 cm); 11" H (27.9 cm) on included custom stand.
Celts were associated with ears of corn, the V-shape being associated with the husk from which the cob emerged. At La Venta (a coastal city near present day Tabasco), caches of celts were discovered planted vertically like miniature stelae. The blunt end of this celt would suggest a similar use, and when placed in a vertical position its appearance is much more dramatic. In this stance, the celt served to define the central axis mundi and the corners of the four-sided world, regarded as a cosmic maize field.
Provenance: ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired prior to 2000
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.
#162050Minor surface abrasions and nicks. Gorgeous natural stone inclusions and polished surface.Condition
- Shipping Info
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