Lot 147
Taino Carved Stone Zemi Figure with Human Features
Taino Carved Stone Zemi Figure with Human Features
Current Bid: $800
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Pre-Columbian, Caribbean, Taino culture, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A powerful stone zemi figure, carved from a single boulder into an abstract yet striking anthropomorphic form. The figure is rendered with deeply incised almond-shaped eyes, a narrow nose, and a small pursed mouth, the features giving the visage a trance-like expression. The body is compact, with arms bent and drawn toward the torso, hands resting at the waist, and short legs folded beneath. The rounded, elongated form emphasizes solidity and permanence, its simplicity amplifying the spiritual potency of the carving. Zemis were sacred embodiments of deities, ancestors, or natural forces, and they stood at the very center of Taino cosmology. Figures like this were honored in shrines, consulted by shamans, and invoked for protection, fertility, and prosperity. Size: 3" L x 3.8" W x 7.5" H (7.6 cm x 9.7 cm x 19 cm)
The Taino believed these idols were inhabited by spirits, granting them a living presence within ritual life. Carved from enduring stone, such zemis conveyed permanence, linking communities to the spiritual realm across generations. This example's bold facial features and compact form align with known museum-held parallels, including examples in the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. Its presence reflects both artistic restraint and religious devotion, testifying to the centrality of zemis in Pre-Columbian Caribbean life.
Provenance: private Venice, Florida, USA collection
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#197566
- Condition: Light surface wear with some weathering and abrasions as shown, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining detail.
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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 |