Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A hand-carved serpentine celt of substantial form that exhibits a plethora of mottled black and green hues. The stone was meticulously flaked and then sanded smooth to a reflective sheen, resulting in a tool with an elegant, tapering body presenting a rounded handle and a broad upper section with an acutely-angled edge. A highly-stylized ritual form for ceremonial and/or funerary purposes, this Olmec celt exemplifies the arduous technique of ancient stone-shaping as well as Olmec's artistry. Size: 6.875" L x 2.7" W (17.5 cm x 6.9 cm)

Celts were associated with ears of corn, the V-shape being associated with the husk from which the cob emerged. At La Venta (a coastal city near present day Tabasco), caches of celts were discovered planted vertically like miniature stelae. The blunt end of this celt would suggest a similar use, and when placed in a vertical position its appearance is much more dramatic. In this stance the celt served to define the central axis mundi and the corners of the four-sided world, regarded as a cosmic maize field.

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired prior to January 1, 2010

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#173400

  • Condition: Professional repair to tip of butt end with resurfacing and no visible adhesive residue. Minor nicks and chips to body and blade edge, with abrasions commensurate with age, otherwise in excellent condition.

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October 20, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000