Lot 66
Native American, Mississippian Culture, ca. 1200 to 1400 CE. A monolithic ceremonial mace ground and polished from a single piece of dense brown stone, this commanding object belongs to one of the most prestigious artifact categories in the material culture of the ancient American Southeast. The form is immediately legible as one of authority: a broad, flared crown at the upper terminus with two pronounced lateral projections framing a pointed apex, the whole suggesting a stylized head or headdress form of considerable ceremonial weight. Below the crown, the body constricts sharply at a defined waist before expanding again into the long, gently tapering handle, its cross-section lenticular and its surfaces ground to a smooth, even finish that speaks to considerable labor investment. The stone retains a warm brown-to-gray patina across both faces, the surface unmarked by any incised decoration, the form itself serving as the entire statement. Size: 3.8" W x 9.7" H (9.7 cm W x 24.6 cm H)
Monolithic maces of this type are among the most symbolically charged objects in the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex, their production requiring substantial skill and time and their possession restricted to individuals of the highest chiefly rank. Flourishing during the height of Mississippian political complexity in the 13th and 14th centuries, when mound centers such as Cahokia and Moundville commanded vast regional networks of trade, tribute, and ritual, such maces embodied the concentrated authority of the elite and their claim to power rooted in both martial prowess and sacred legitimacy. Intact, well-formed examples are genuinely scarce on the market.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Denver, Colorado, USA collection
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Item #
202372
- Condition: A few minor chips in areas, as well as weathering and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and very nice.
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| 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 |