Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 800 to 1500 CE. A beautiful axe head of unusual and sturdy form that is hand-carved from mottled sage-green stone with dark gray, khaki, cream, and dark green inclusions. The tool features a broad, crescent-shaped blade head, a thick neck, and a rectangular handle with a biconically drilled suspension hole along the top. When the handle is gripped, the heel of one's hand fits comfortably along the longer side of the blade. The green hues of the stone were a symbolic representation of fertility, and this blade likely served a ritualistic rather than utilitarian purpose and may have been buried with the deceased. Size: 6.6" L x 5.3" W (16.8 cm x 13.5 cm)
Provenance: private J. Hart collection, Houston, Texas, USA, acquired mid-1970's
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.
#167487
Condition
Minor nicks and abrasions to blade head and handle, with light pitting to scattered areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Great stone coloration and surface smoothness throughout.