Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A beautiful celt, hand-carved from a mottled greenstone with both light and dark inclusions. The celt has a rounded handle base, acutely-angled sides, two ovoid faces which taper gently to a thin edge, and a lustrous, meticulously polished sheen. The celt is a tapered hand tool of a highly-stylized ritual form with ceremonial or funerary purposes. Designed for a votive function, this is a fabulous piece of art which exemplifies the arduous process of ancient stone sculpting techniques! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.875" W x 3" H (4.8 cm x 7.6 cm); 3.875" H (9.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private H. J. Westermann collection, Germany; ex-Butterfields (Bonhams)

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#133773

Age-commensurate surface wear, with one very minor nick to blade edge, otherwise intact and very good. Old inventory sticker on verso.