Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec to proto-Maya, ca. 900 to 300 BCE. Extremely rare and important stone "poison" bottle. Formed from hard brownstone in the shape of a gourd. Seven lobes pecked, carved, drilled and smoothed in deep relief with short neck, stopper in the form of the top stem of the gourd. Exterior highlighted with ground hematite (guaranteed not to be cinnabar) , with packet of the original hematite stored inside included "baggie." Size: 3.25" W x 4.75" H (8.3 cm x 12.1 cm)
The Olmec and Maya used ground minerals in the creation of their art and objects of daily use. While cinnabar was often used for the added red, it is likely that even the early cultures recognized the effects of long-term exposure. Hematite, comprised of iron, silica, magnesium, aluminum and sulfur was a colorful and safer substitute. The red powder found inside along with the red on the exterior surface have each been tested using XRF technology which has confirmed this is indeed hematite.
Provenance: Private Lindenhurst, Illinois, USA collection, acquired May 3, 2014; ex-Knox Artifact Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; ex-private Walter Knox collection; ex-Dr. Stanley Boggs collection before 2000
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#192551
Condition
Intact and choice.