Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 800 to 1500 CE. A fine example of a spade-form axe head that is hand-carved from mottled sage green stone with brown, tan, dark green, and cream inclusions. The tool features a semicircular blade edge with protruding lateral fins, a thick neck, and a biconically drilled suspension hole along the tang. A series of 5 concentric stripes is incised around the neck to create a personalized presentation. Axe heads like this example were carved for ritualistic or ceremonial purposes - rather than for utilitarian usage - and was perhaps deposited in a grave as a funerary offering for a deceased individual. Size: 4.29" L x 2.24" W (10.9 cm x 5.7 cm)

Provenance: private J. Hart collection, Houston, Texas, USA, acquired mid-1970's

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#167490

Minor nicks and abrasions to tang, neck, and blade head, with very light pitting in scattered areas, otherwise intact and very good. Great surface smoothness throughout. Old inventory number written in blue ink atop white substance on one side of tang.