Lot 201B
Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico/Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A gorgeous tan and cream colored jadeite celt (hand axe) with rust-colored patination from close association with a hematite mirror during burial. This celt was found during the initial discovery of the Rio Pesquero site in Veracruz, Mexico in 1969. Engraved on the face is a motif of the Maize God, Olmec God II. Peter D. Joralemon, in his 1971 publication, "Studies in Pre-Columbian Art and Archaeology, Number 7, A Study in Olmec Iconography", has classified many of these stylistic motifs. Numbers corresponding to his designations are included in the description below. The engravings on this ceremonial hand axe show the Maize God, also known as God II in the Olmec pantheon. Comes with custom stand. Size: 3.25" W x 8.5" H (8.3 cm x 21.6 cm); height on stand: 11" (27.9 cm)
The top center symbol engraved on the celt is a Maize Sprouting from a Head Cleft (81). Stylized eyebrows form at the base of the brow with two Insets (133) in a horizontal bracket. Below this is a maize sprout with broad-leafed foliage bisected by a vertical line representing the stalk of the corn. These corn stalks may also serve as the almond-shaped eyes of the deity's face. Below this is a panel formed by a horizontal line and a Feathered Crest or Fringe (55) that descends towards the bit of the celt from the outside edges of the horizontal line and curve nearly parallel to the bit. This could also be interpreted as a Banded Bracket (112) or Wavy Ear Decoration (219). The bracketed panel has an elliptical bar, possibly representing a maize sprout or maize roots. It is flanked on the top by four three-sided shapes (two on each side), and may be an abstract reference to the Four Dots and a Bar (139) symbol. The entire bracket could also depict the nose and mouth of the deity. The repeated depictions of corn indicate that this is the Maize God, God II. This figure is rarely shown with a body and the deity's face is associated with a snarling jaguar form in largely anthropomorphic features. The maize sprouting from the top of the clefted head has been deliberately mirrored by the artisan in the form of the hand axe, which scholars believe also represented the ear of corn.
Provenance: ex private Tom Stanton collection; previously ex private Jacques & Natasha Gelman collection
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#124990
- Condition: Flaking from upper left area of engraved surface. Interesting rust-colored patina.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |