Pre-Columbian, Caribbean, Taino, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. Carved in the form of a near perfect sphere, a stone ball created by the Taino peoples, perhaps for use in a ceremonial ball game. Ball-courts have been found in parts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, where the Mesoamerican ballgame was played with a rubber ball. It is possible that this stone ball was a votive object or trophy for the ball game. Given its orb-like appearance, scholars have also suggested that it may have been created to symbolize the sun or another celestial body. An unusual artifact, carved from a creamy beige stone. Its beauty and perfect form demonstrate the mastery that these people had over pecking stone, shaping it through abrasion, and polishing. Size: 3.6" Diameter (9.1 cm); 4.2" H (10.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-Bob Dowling collection, San Francisco, California, USA, acquired 1990 to 2010

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#171739

Surface abrasions and chips. Otherwise, intact and very good.