Maya Eccentric Chert Flints Abstract Forms
Pre-Columbian, Mexico and Northern Central America, Maya Territories, Late Classic, ca. 550 to 900 CE. Two eccentric chert flints shaped into bizarre shapes, as their name implies. The larger is slightly bird shaped, with a thicker point as the neck and three slightly smaller points rising out from the rectangular body forming the wings and tail. The smaller flint is thin and more peculiar in shape, with fourteen rounded spikes radiating outward from both sides, and reminiscent of a bat's outstretched wings. Chert flints are made using percussion, striking them with other stones; the process required to get a fine point requires great training and skill. These chert flints are both grey with faint hints of pink and cream. These types of flints were carved not as weapons, but as interesting forms, used for sacrificial and ceremonial purposed by the Maya, and are often found as offerings in caches inside of stone monuments and other architectural features. Size of larger: 5.5" L x 3.18" W (14 cm x 8.1 cm); smaller: 2.4" W (6.1 cm)
Provenance: inherited collection from late brother 2019, Holly Springs, North Carolina, 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.
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.
#157180
Condition Report: Larger flint repaired with a hairline fissure across the reattached point. Natural stone striations and light mineral deposits on both.
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Pre-Columbian, Mexico and Northern Central America, Maya Territories, Late Classic, ca. 550 to 900 CE. Two eccentric chert flints shaped into bizarre shapes, as their name implies. The larger is slightly bird shaped, with a thicker point as the neck and three slightly smaller points rising out from the rectangular body forming the wings and tail. The smaller flint is thin and more peculiar in shape, with fourteen rounded spikes radiating outward from both sides, and reminiscent of a bat's outstretched wings. Chert flints are made using percussion, striking them with other stones; the process required to get a fine point requires great training and skill. These chert flints are both grey with faint hints of pink and cream. These types of flints were carved not as weapons, but as interesting forms, used for sacrificial and ceremonial purposed by the Maya, and are often found as offerings in caches inside of stone monuments and other architectural features. Size of larger: 5.5" L x 3.18" W (14 cm x 8.1 cm); smaller: 2.4" W (6.1 cm)
Provenance: inherited collection from late brother 2019, Holly Springs, North Carolina, 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.
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.
#157180
Condition Report: Larger flint repaired with a hairline fissure across the reattached point. Natural stone striations and light mineral deposits on both.
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Time, Location
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