Pair of Colima Mahogany Obsidian Spear Blades
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Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. Two beautiful stone spear points created from gorgeous specimens of mahogany obsidian (volcanic glass with iron inclusions). The blades are well-crafted, symmetrically knapped to points at both ends, most definitely two objects of prestige from a rare source of stone. Comes with custom stand. Size: larger measures ~ 10" H (25.4 cm) Size: pair on stand measure 4.25" W x 10.875" H (10.8 cm x 27.6 cm)
Obsidian - "iztli" to the indigenous - fascinated the ancient Mesoamericans; the Aztecs even had a god, Tezcatlipoca, who was the Lord of the Smoking Obsidian Mirror. The shockingly sharp edges and points of these pieces demonstrate its great allure. In a world without metal, this sharp quality was especially important for ceremonies of ritual bloodletting and human sacrifice. The difficult-to-obtain material came from volcanic sources in the Sierra Madre of Mexico and in Guatemala, traded hundreds of miles to meet the demand for sharp cutting tools and ritual objects, and then was struck using a deer antler or small hammer stone to form blades and other shapes. The Colima buried their dead in shaft tombs deep below their residences, alongside the remains of their ancestors. These tombs were richly furnished with ceramic figures, vessels, offerings, and precious stone items of jade and obsidian.
Provenance: private Smith collection, Atlanta, Georgia USA
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.
#119927
Obsidian - "iztli" to the indigenous - fascinated the ancient Mesoamericans; the Aztecs even had a god, Tezcatlipoca, who was the Lord of the Smoking Obsidian Mirror. The shockingly sharp edges and points of these pieces demonstrate its great allure. In a world without metal, this sharp quality was especially important for ceremonies of ritual bloodletting and human sacrifice. The difficult-to-obtain material came from volcanic sources in the Sierra Madre of Mexico and in Guatemala, traded hundreds of miles to meet the demand for sharp cutting tools and ritual objects, and then was struck using a deer antler or small hammer stone to form blades and other shapes. The Colima buried their dead in shaft tombs deep below their residences, alongside the remains of their ancestors. These tombs were richly furnished with ceramic figures, vessels, offerings, and precious stone items of jade and obsidian.
Provenance: private Smith collection, Atlanta, Georgia USA
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.
#119927
Condition
Smaller blade has tiny losses to tips and a few at peripheries. Larger has nearly invisible nicks to tips. Overall excellent.
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Pair of Colima Mahogany Obsidian Spear Blades
Estimate $1,500 - $2,000
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Item located in Louisville, CO, usSee Policy for Shipping
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