Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A hand-built pottery stamp seal with a tab-shaped handle and a rectangular body incised to form a complex motif. A lord, dressed in an elaborate feathered headdress, is either speaking or smoking (in Maya iconography, speech is often conveyed as a shape issuing from the mouth, though here that shape resembles an exhalation). Seated close by and facing the lord is another figure with a smaller body and slightly less elaborate headdress who appears to be listening attentively. Archaeologists believe that stamps like this one were used to decorate the body and/or clothing. Delightfully, the back of this stamp has clear fingerprints from its maker. Size: 1.2" L x 2.75" W x 2.5" H (3 cm x 7 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: private Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA collection, purchased in 1970; ex-Clotilde Young private collection; ex-Juan Benevides collection, Panama

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.

#152067

  • Condition: Light wear on surface commensurate with age including a few chips, nicks, and scratches. However, the iconography is well preserved and clear.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

January 30, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

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

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