2 Colima Shell Purging Stick Pendants - Wearable
**Originally Listed At $300**
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. An attractive pair of pendants, hand-carved from creamy white shells, both suggesting zoomorphic creatures, such as alligators or lizards. The larger pendant features a pointed snout, shallow cavities for nostrils, and two eye sockets on the sides. The body curves slightly, with sting cut lines indicating legs, and terminates at a pointed tail. The other pendant is more abstract with a narrow tail, square body, and three knobs indicating the head and limbs of the creature. Both have hand-drilled perforations pierced through the upper third for suspension. Given the shape, the larger may have been used by shamans as a purging stick, prompting a literal physical purging as well as a symbolic spiritual purging during certain ceremonies. These symbolic pendants are wearable and strung on modern cords with silver-plated lobster clasps. Size of large pendant: 4.675" L x 0.75" W (11.9 cm x 1.9 cm); small pendant: 3.25" L x 0.75" W (8.3 cm x 1.9 cm); cord lengths: 20" L (50.8 cm)
Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#165659
Condition Report: Loss to tail of larger pendant. Natural shell pitting and ossification. Smaller pendant is intact. Both wearable and strung on modern cords.
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**Originally Listed At $300**
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. An attractive pair of pendants, hand-carved from creamy white shells, both suggesting zoomorphic creatures, such as alligators or lizards. The larger pendant features a pointed snout, shallow cavities for nostrils, and two eye sockets on the sides. The body curves slightly, with sting cut lines indicating legs, and terminates at a pointed tail. The other pendant is more abstract with a narrow tail, square body, and three knobs indicating the head and limbs of the creature. Both have hand-drilled perforations pierced through the upper third for suspension. Given the shape, the larger may have been used by shamans as a purging stick, prompting a literal physical purging as well as a symbolic spiritual purging during certain ceremonies. These symbolic pendants are wearable and strung on modern cords with silver-plated lobster clasps. Size of large pendant: 4.675" L x 0.75" W (11.9 cm x 1.9 cm); small pendant: 3.25" L x 0.75" W (8.3 cm x 1.9 cm); cord lengths: 20" L (50.8 cm)
Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#165659
Condition Report: Loss to tail of larger pendant. Natural shell pitting and ossification. Smaller pendant is intact. Both wearable and strung on modern cords.
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Time, Location
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