Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Mixtec to Aztec culture, ca. 1250 to 1521 CE. This is an amazing stone mold for gold or copper casting! This discoidal stone has a central cavity that is relief patterned with 3 spirals along the inner sides. In order to create fabulous jewelry and ornaments in gold and other precious metals, the lost wax casting technique and molds, such as this, were used to cast stunning and intricate items. The exterior of the mold has a hemispherical, rounded form and a sharply carinated side. Included is a custom clay impression that shows how the final cast item might have appeared once completed. Size: 3.125" W x 1" H (7.9 cm x 2.5 cm)
Provenance: ex-Elbert H Hastings collection, Kansas City Missouri, USA, acquired through J. G. Bricklin 1950s; dug in 1894
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.
#145982
Condition
Chips and losses to peripheries and surface of mold along carinated edge and base. The spirals have chips to the raised motif but are clear and well defined. Light earthen encrustations within mold. Comes with a custom clay impression that demonstrates the mold shape.