Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A fine ensemble of 8 obsidian stone blades, each hand-knapped and all boasting lustrous surfaces in hues of jet black. The largest 6 present ovoid forms with pointed ends, while the remaining two exhibit lengthy blades with broad necks. All were created by knapping, a process that involves hitting the obsidian with a harder stone to flake the surface into the desired form. The blades may have been secured to the end of a lengthy wooden pole with leather or textile strips to use as tools or serve a ritualistic purpose. Obsidian was revered by ancient Mesoamericans as being some of the finest and sharpest material available. The largest blade is a very generous size! These are beautifully preserved and displayed in a Riker case. Size of largest blade: 10" L x 1.6" W (25.4 cm x 4.1 cm); case: 16.25" L x 12.25" W (41.3 cm x 31.1 cm)

Display stand shown in photos is for photography purposes only.

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s

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#162495

Chips and minor losses to peripheries and faces of all pieces not from knapping process. Loss to neck of the narrow, pointed blade. Scattered mineral deposits on all. The largest blade is very good with only minor nicks. Displayed in modern Riker case.