Pre-Columbian, Belize, New River (Rio Nuevo), Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. An impressive hand-knapped chert stone dagger with a lengthy blade and prominent midrib on one face, while the other side is nearly perfectly flat. The chert is a lovely smokey gray with beige inclusions, and the planar underside displays the natural veining beautifully. This type of knife was likely ceremonial rather than utilitarian, the have been found at several archaeological sites throughout southern Mesoamerica and the Caribbean in funerary or ritualistic deposits. Size: 7.6" L x 2" W (19.3 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#173684

A few minor chips and nicks along periphery, otherwise intact and very good. Light mineral encrustations in recessed areas.