Description:

Pre-Columbian, Maya, Costa Rica, and Peru, ca. 500 BCE to 1400 CE. A fascinating assemblage of seven Pre-Columbian adornments from diverse cultural contexts, spanning Mesoamerica to South America. The lot includes an elongated omphacite jade bead with a cylindrical perforation, two circular omphacite jade pendants with central drill holes, and a larger disk-shaped black stone pendant with a similar perforation. Complementing these are a pair of finely carved blackware earspools, each presenting an intricate openwork design - one abstractly geometric, the other with stylized figural motifs. Completing the group is a chain composed of four copper hoops terminating in a small carved shell pendant, likely suspended as part of a necklace or ceremonial ornament. Size of largest (turtle earspool): 1.9" Diameter x 0.6" W (4.8 cm x 1.5 cm)

Together, these objects represent the rich artistic traditions of the Maya, Costa Rican, and Peruvian cultures, where jade, shell, stone, and metal were prized for their beauty, durability, and spiritual resonance. Omphacite jade in particular held strong symbolic significance, believed to embody fertility, life force, and connection to the divine. Blackware earspools, often worn by elites, conveyed status and affiliation, while shell and copper elements referenced wealth and long-distance trade. This lot not only showcases exquisite craftsmanship across regions but also reflects the interconnected networks of exchange and shared ritual values that linked Pre-Columbian civilizations across the Americas.

Provenance: private Fort Collins, Colorado, USA collection, acquired via inheritance

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#197150

  • Condition: Turtle earspool has ben repaired with break lines visible. Some losses to copper. Expected age wear with nicks, chips and abrasions throughout. Beads are wearable. Light earthen deposits throughout.

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October 17, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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