Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. An unusual ungulate bone cylinder that may have functioned as a stamp roller, hand carved with curving lines radiating from the upper and lower openings. The design could be rolled onto a surface using ink or other liquid mediums to create a continuous pattern. It is presumed that such roller stamps were probably used on cloth, wood, or even painting skin like a tattoo or body paint. The interior is hollowed out and could be suspended on a cord when not in use. Size: 2.65" L x 1" Diameter (6.7 cm x 2.5 cm)

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-private Arkansas, USA collection, via descent in 2021; ex-private Florida estate, USA, acquired from the 1960s to 1970s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#172320

Chip and loss on one end as shown. Stable fissures and black striations. Mineral and earthen encrustations.