Colombian Tairona Greenstone Batwing Pendants (2)

Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 800 to 1200 CE. A lovely pair of abstract batwing-form pendants, each hand-carved from mottled greenstone with beige and black inclusions. The smaller pendant has curved lobes atop the projecting wings as well as a slender incised groove just beneath the front of the biconically-drilled suspension tube. The larger pendant displays an incredibly smooth, polished surface, rounded terminals, and a lengthy suspension tube that dips slightly in the center. Bat-wing pendants served as grave goods made from sacred greenstone. For example, in a burial from the Venezuelan Andes (which was culturally close to Tairona), archaeologists found a bat-wing pendant interred alongside raw materials of serpentine and steatite. A fine ensemble of Tairona artistry! Size of largest: 14.5" W x 1.75" H (36.8 cm x 4.4 cm); 6.7" H (17 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Arte Primitivo Gallery, New York, New York, USA

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#148442
Condition Report: Both items have minor abrasions to wings, bodies, and suspension tubes, with small excisions, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits within suspension tubes. Old inventory labels as well as old inventory numbers written in black ink on verso of each item.