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THBMonumental Olmec Omphacite Jade Celt
Lot 105
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:
$8,000 - $12,000
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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
Jul 14, 2022
Set Reminder
2022-07-14 10:00:00
2022-07-14 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographica Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographica-fine-art-9692
Museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Viking, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Viking, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (380)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 1500 BCE. COLOSSAL, MONUMENTAL, ENORMOUS, a ceremonial omphacite jade celt (axe), skillfully hand-carved from blue-green jade with mottled olive and sage green inclusions. The omphacite jade was meticulously flaked and then sanded smooth to a reflective sheen, resulting in a tool with an elegant, tapering body presenting a broad, rounded handle and a narrow upper section or blade with an acutely-angled edge. A highly-stylized ritual form for ceremonial and/or funerary purposes, this Olmec omphacite jade celt exemplifies the arduous technique of ancient stone-shaping as well as Olmec's artistry. Size: 5.9" W x 12.8" H (15 cm x 32.5 cm); 13.8" H (35.1 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.
Research in the late 1990s and early 2000s pinpointed the source of what is colloquially referred to as "Olmec blue" jade in the lowland Motagua River near the modern-day border of Guatemala and Honduras; stone from this source was carved and traded widely throughout early Mesoamerica. The value of jade for ancient people lay in its symbolic power: perhaps its color was associated with water and vegetation; later, the Maya would place jade beads in the mouths of the dead. Many scholars have argued that the demand for jade contributed to the rise of long-distance trading networks and to the rise of urban centers in ancient Mesoamerica. This jade celt would have been regarded as an exceedingly valuable and rare piece of ceremonial art.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-Ian Arundel collection, California, USA, the Old Curiosity Cabinet, Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, USA, collected 1950 to 1970
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#172746Some nicks and chips, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with smooth surfaces.Condition
- Shipping Info
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