Huge Tairona Slate Bat Wing Pectoral
Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 10th to 16th century CE. A large example of a "batwing" pectoral, so called because of its resemblance to the flying mammal, although the actual meaning of its form is unknown. The pectoral is carved from beautiful, olive green slate with mottled white inclusions. The "wings" widen slightly towards their terminals; the "head," a low protrusion at the upper center, is drilled through the center for suspension. Items of this general shape have been found from southern Mexico to Venezuela as well as on some islands in the Caribbean and are often discovered in caches of other stone artifacts buried under floors of houses and temples. The Kogi and Ica people, who are direct descendants of the Tairona, wear similar items as rattles, attached to the elbows of dancers. They may have been used similarly in the Pre-Columbian era. Size: 13.5" L x 1.8" W (34.3 cm x 4.6 cm)
Provenance: private J. Hart collection, Houston, Texas, USA, acquired mid-1970s
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.
#167484
Condition Report: Minor chips to wing tips and surfaces, otherwise intact and very good.
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Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 10th to 16th century CE. A large example of a "batwing" pectoral, so called because of its resemblance to the flying mammal, although the actual meaning of its form is unknown. The pectoral is carved from beautiful, olive green slate with mottled white inclusions. The "wings" widen slightly towards their terminals; the "head," a low protrusion at the upper center, is drilled through the center for suspension. Items of this general shape have been found from southern Mexico to Venezuela as well as on some islands in the Caribbean and are often discovered in caches of other stone artifacts buried under floors of houses and temples. The Kogi and Ica people, who are direct descendants of the Tairona, wear similar items as rattles, attached to the elbows of dancers. They may have been used similarly in the Pre-Columbian era. Size: 13.5" L x 1.8" W (34.3 cm x 4.6 cm)
Provenance: private J. Hart collection, Houston, Texas, USA, acquired mid-1970s
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.
#167484
Condition Report: Minor chips to wing tips and surfaces, otherwise intact and very good.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
