Dominican Republic | Taino Stone Ceremonial Dagger in the Form of an Iguana | | David Bernstein Pre-Columbian Art. Extensive inventory of Pre-Columbian art from South America, including ancient objects in ceramic, textiles, bronze, copper and gold.

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1 / 13

Peru, Chavin pair of Turquoise Plaques with Profile Faces

These faces could be trophy heads. There are two small drill holes center arranged vertically. It’s quite rare to find carved turquoise when most are made of shell. These may have been use as pendants to a textile. There is an abundance of manganese patina on the front.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Height: 1 1/2" x Width 1 3/4"

$2,900

98046

Mexico, Chontal Green Stone Mask with eyebrows
Classic Chontal style mask with unusual depiction of the eyebrows, which are etched into the stone. Similar masks are illustrated in CHONTAL: ANCIENT STONE SCULPTURE FROM GUERRERO MEXICO, page 59, A, B, C. & page 60. There are strong root marks all over.
Media: Stone
Dimensions: Width: 6 1/4" x Height 7"
$12,000
N5021

2 / 13

Mexico, Chontal Green Stone Mask with eyebrows

Classic Chontal style mask with unusual depiction of the eyebrows, which are etched into the stone. Similar masks are illustrated in CHONTAL: ANCIENT STONE SCULPTURE FROM GUERRERO MEXICO, page 59, A, B, C. & page 60. There are strong root marks all over.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Width: 6 1/4" x Height 7"

$12,000

N5021

Mexico, Classic Greenish Grey Stone Mezcala Figure of the M8 Type
This solid, hand-held stone figure fits perfectly in the palm of the hand. The figure was created using the string-sawing technique and is made of a mottled greenish-grey stone with tiny even flecks of blue- black color evenly speckled throughout. The figure has its arms to the side, represented by carved grooves, which is a classic characteristic of Type M8 Mezcalas. The representation of human figures played an important role in Mezcala culture, including in rituals and burial sites. However, most of these figures, were used for utilitarian purposes as celts or chisels. For a reference see the Primitive Museum of Art's MEZCALA STONE SCULPTURE: THE HUMAN FIGURE, p.22-23, and MEZCALA: ANCIENT STONE SCULPTURE FROM GUERRERO MEXICO, by Carlo Gay and Frances Pratt, plate 67. Ex. Gallery Hana-Tokyo, prior to 1970.
Media: Stone
Dimensions: H: 5 in. x W: 2 in.
$6,000
n5055

3 / 13

Mexico, Classic Greenish Grey Stone Mezcala Figure of the M8 Type

This solid, hand-held stone figure fits perfectly in the palm of the hand. The figure was created using the string-sawing technique and is made of a mottled greenish-grey stone with tiny even flecks of blue- black color evenly speckled throughout. The figure has its arms to the side, represented by carved grooves, which is a classic characteristic of Type M8 Mezcalas. The representation of human figures played an important role in Mezcala culture, including in rituals and burial sites. However, most of these figures, were used for utilitarian purposes as celts or chisels. For a reference see the Primitive Museum of Art's MEZCALA STONE SCULPTURE: THE HUMAN FIGURE, p.22-23, and MEZCALA: ANCIENT STONE SCULPTURE FROM GUERRERO MEXICO, by Carlo Gay and Frances Pratt, plate 67. Ex. Gallery Hana-Tokyo, prior to 1970.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: H: 5 in. x W: 2 in.

$6,000

n5055

Costa Rica, Costa Rican Green Stone Figural Celt
This figurative celt is fashioned from a beautiful deep green stone and has large ears and hands held to its chest. It would have been worn as an adornment as well as used as a shamanic amulet to ward of illness or bad spirits.
Media: Stone
Dimensions: Height 2.1/2"
$550
95050a

4 / 13

Costa Rica, Costa Rican Green Stone Figural Celt

This figurative celt is fashioned from a beautiful deep green stone and has large ears and hands held to its chest. It would have been worn as an adornment as well as used as a shamanic amulet to ward of illness or bad spirits.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Height 2.1/2"

$550

95050a

Costa Rica, Costa Rican Jade Harpy Eagle Deity Amulet
The harpy eagle is one of the most feared birds in Costa Rica. This translucent, speckled jade stone eagle is carved to show the wings and beak on both sides. One side is slightly convex and the other slightly concave. There is a suspension hole by the neck.
Media: Stone
Dimensions: Length 2 5/8" x Width: 3/4" Thickness 1/4"
$975
M3060

5 / 13

Costa Rica, Costa Rican Jade Harpy Eagle Deity Amulet

The harpy eagle is one of the most feared birds in Costa Rica. This translucent, speckled jade stone eagle is carved to show the wings and beak on both sides. One side is slightly convex and the other slightly concave. There is a suspension hole by the neck.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Length 2 5/8" x Width: 3/4" Thickness 1/4"

$975

M3060

Mexico, Mayan Carved Limestone Relief of a Jaguar in Profile
This relief carved Mayan limestone tablet features a jaguar carved in profile with original red pigment, resembling a famous Mixtec stone stela with warriors wearing similar jaguar face masks. The tablet was exhibited in Tokyo in the Museum of Tobacco and Salt’s Animal Designs in Ancient America in February 2002 and was formerly in the collection of Hana Gallery in Tokyo prior to 1970.
Media: Stone
Dimensions: Height: 13 1/4" x Width: 15" Depth: 5 1/4"Weight: 45 lbs
$28,000
n3047

6 / 13

Mexico, Mayan Carved Limestone Relief of a Jaguar in Profile

This relief carved Mayan limestone tablet features a jaguar carved in profile with original red pigment, resembling a famous Mixtec stone stela with warriors wearing similar jaguar face masks. The tablet was exhibited in Tokyo in the Museum of Tobacco and Salt’s Animal Designs in Ancient America in February 2002 and was formerly in the collection of Hana Gallery in Tokyo prior to 1970.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Height: 13 1/4" x Width: 15" Depth: 5 1/4"
Weight: 45 lbs

$28,000

n3047

7 / 13

Peru, Official Archaeological Replica of Nasca Elongated Trophy Head

Some Andean cultures including the Paracas and Nasca would keep the skulls of enemy tribal leaders killed in battle as trophies of war. This late 19th century model is an exact replica of an elongated Paracas style trophy head which was dated circa 300 B.C. In keeping with the Paracas style, this trophy head has a set of suspensions holes on top. These holes would have allowed the victorious party to suspend a cord through the two holes for the purpose of displaying the trophy head as a sign of military and spiritual power. The ancient Andeans believed that the victor in battle acquired the spiritual properties of the enemies he killed. Authorized for export by the Peruvian government in 2011, with an official sticker at the base.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Length: 11-1/2" x Height 7- 1/2"

$3,500

p1058

Dominican Republic, Pre-Taino Stone Double-Bitted Axe
This type of large, worked stone double-bitted axe can be assigned to the "Courian Subseries," a classification designating the period that ended some time just after the Lithic Age and just before the Ceramic Age. These large axe heads, used in combat, were strapped to a large staff with strips of leather. A similar example is illustrated and discussed in Irving Rouse’s "The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus,” Yale University Press, 1992, pg. 56, fig.16d.
With some natural wear.

Media: Stone
Dimensions: Width 7"
$2,250
94312

8 / 13

Dominican Republic, Pre-Taino Stone Double-Bitted Axe

This type of large, worked stone double-bitted axe can be assigned to the "Courian Subseries," a classification designating the period that ended some time just after the Lithic Age and just before the Ceramic Age. These large axe heads, used in combat, were strapped to a large staff with strips of leather. A similar example is illustrated and discussed in Irving Rouse’s "The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus,” Yale University Press, 1992, pg. 56, fig.16d. With some natural wear.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Width 7"

$2,250

94312

Dominican Republic, Taíno Sandstone Three-pointer carved as Yocahú, Lord of Cazabe
Three-pointers are among the most prized objects from the Greater Antilles. Known as zemis to the anceint Taíno, Columbus observed them placed on stools beside chiefs, and he was told they were spirits in charge of good weather and good crops and to help women in childbirth. Three-pointer zemis were fertility stones related to the rejuvenation of the earth and the populace. This three-pointer portrays a grimacing deity with his hind legs curled behind him on the other side of the sculpture. Although grimacing, skeletal faces are characteristic of Taíno art, and when they occur on three-pointers they have been identified as Yocahú, Lord of the Sky and the patron spirit of Cazabe---yuca---the staple crop of the Taíno. This sculpture was executed with good proportions, and the mouth and eye sockets once had inlays of shell or perhaps discs of gold. A similar example in whitish sandstone is illustrated by Jacques Kerchace, ed. in 'L'art Taíno' (1994: 292). Jesse Fewkes, who thoroughly studied and assembled photographs of Taíno art for the Smithsonian created a typology for three-pointers, in which this particular zemi belongs to the First Type, and his report includes a number of related examples (1907: pls. XXXV - XXXVII).
Media: Stone
Dimensions: Length 10" x Height 91/2"
$22,000
M3055

9 / 13

Dominican Republic, Taíno Sandstone Three-pointer carved as Yocahú, Lord of Cazabe

Three-pointers are among the most prized objects from the Greater Antilles. Known as zemis to the anceint Taíno, Columbus observed them placed on stools beside chiefs, and he was told they were spirits in charge of good weather and good crops and to help women in childbirth. Three-pointer zemis were fertility stones related to the rejuvenation of the earth and the populace. This three-pointer portrays a grimacing deity with his hind legs curled behind him on the other side of the sculpture. Although grimacing, skeletal faces are characteristic of Taíno art, and when they occur on three-pointers they have been identified as Yocahú, Lord of the Sky and the patron spirit of Cazabe---yuca---the staple crop of the Taíno. This sculpture was executed with good proportions, and the mouth and eye sockets once had inlays of shell or perhaps discs of gold. A similar example in whitish sandstone is illustrated by Jacques Kerchace, ed. in 'L'art Taíno' (1994: 292). Jesse Fewkes, who thoroughly studied and assembled photographs of Taíno art for the Smithsonian created a typology for three-pointers, in which this particular zemi belongs to the First Type, and his report includes a number of related examples (1907: pls. XXXV - XXXVII).

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Length 10" x Height 91/2"

$22,000

M3055

10 / 13

Dominican Republic, Taino Large Black Petaloid Celt

The smoothly polished surface and finely tapered teardrop form of this petaloid stone celt indicates that it was intended as a ceremonial object. The term "petaloid" refers to the elongated flower petal likeshape. Similar examples are illustrated in "Taino: Art and Culture from the Caribbean", NY, Museo del Barrio, 1998, Fig. 24.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Length: 10" x Width: 3"

$3,750

MM016

Dominican Republic, Taino Stone Ceremonial Dagger in the Form of an Iguana
A ceremonial dagger that is carved exceptionally well, with original polished surface, depicting lizard characteristics such as a long snout, prominent nostrils and deep set eyes. The back depicts a defined jaw and hind legs pulled up into the body. There are only 2 similar shaped daggers that are illustrated: One in Estudio de Las Hachas Antillanas, page 143, and and one in L'ART DES SCULPTEURS TAINOS: Chefs-d'oeuvre des grandes Antilles Précolombienes, Paris 1994, plate 86. There are also two similar daggers in the Arivelo collection in Santo Domingo that are inferior and crudely sculpted.
Media: Stone
Dimensions: Length: 11"
Price Upon Request
n8016

11 / 13

Dominican Republic, Taino Stone Ceremonial Dagger in the Form of an Iguana

A ceremonial dagger that is carved exceptionally well, with original polished surface, depicting lizard characteristics such as a long snout, prominent nostrils and deep set eyes. The back depicts a defined jaw and hind legs pulled up into the body. There are only 2 similar shaped daggers that are illustrated: One in Estudio de Las Hachas Antillanas, page 143, and and one in L'ART DES SCULPTEURS TAINOS: Chefs-d'oeuvre des grandes Antilles Précolombienes, Paris 1994, plate 86. There are also two similar daggers in the Arivelo collection in Santo Domingo that are inferior and crudely sculpted.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Length: 11"

Price Upon Request

n8016

Panama, Veraguas Speckled Stone Pendant
This rare Veraguas anthropomorphic female bat deity bears a human body, a simian face, and bat-like ears. There is a suspension hole near each shoulder for hanging the pendant on a string. This pendant was exhibited in the Brooklyn Museum and published in the Jay Leff Collection, catalog no.500. Acquired from Sotheby's, May 12, 1983, lot 13.
Media: Stone
Dimensions: Height: 2.25"
$1,800
88048b

12 / 13

Panama, Veraguas Speckled Stone Pendant

This rare Veraguas anthropomorphic female bat deity bears a human body, a simian face, and bat-like ears. There is a suspension hole near each shoulder for hanging the pendant on a string. This pendant was exhibited in the Brooklyn Museum and published in the Jay Leff Collection, catalog no.500. Acquired from Sotheby's, May 12, 1983, lot 13.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Height: 2.25"

$1,800

88048b

Bolivia, Wankarani Stone Boundry Marker
The Wankarani were adept at high altitude agriculture and were able to coax maize and Quinoa from the salty soil. The large stone markers were sculpted to look like llama heads and marked the Wankarani territory. Alan Kolata discusses the Wankarani culture in his book THE TIWANAKU, pg. 61-66 and illustrates a llama head in the Museo Baciobal de Arqueologia.
Media: Stone
Dimensions: Height 19" x Depth: 11" Weight: 80 lbs.
$25,000
N3002

13 / 13

Bolivia, Wankarani Stone Boundry Marker

The Wankarani were adept at high altitude agriculture and were able to coax maize and Quinoa from the salty soil. The large stone markers were sculpted to look like llama heads and marked the Wankarani territory. Alan Kolata discusses the Wankarani culture in his book THE TIWANAKU, pg. 61-66 and illustrates a llama head in the Museo Baciobal de Arqueologia.

Media: Stone

Dimensions: Height 19" x Depth: 11" Weight: 80 lbs.

$25,000

N3002