Maya Knapped Chert EccentricNotched Silhouette
Pre-Columbian, Guatemala, Maya, ca. 600–950 CE. An eccentric knapped from a single thin slab of chert. Its tall, narrow outline is broken by a row of deep notches and squared shoulders. At the top, two small prongs rise like a crest or a pair of ears. The middle section steps from side to side in alternating lobes, and the lower end narrows into a short, rounded tab that may be a tang for hafting. The stone is mottled cream, oatmeal, and pale umber, and both faces carry fine pressure flaking that keeps the piece remarkably thin. The silhouette may be read as a stylized creature or as an abstract emblem. The Maya made eccentrics as non-utilitarian prestige objects, too fragile to cut with. They were most likely meant for ritual deposit rather than for daily use. Size: 4.6" H x 1.6" W (11.7 cm H x 4.1 cm W); Riker case: 6.25" L x 5.25" W x 0.75" D (15.9 cm L x 13.3 cm W x 1.9 cm D). Early Mesoamericans prized flint and chert because the stone throws sparks when struck. They linked it to lightning and sometimes believed it formed where lightning hit the ground. Over many centuries Maya knappers worked chert, chalcedony, and obsidian into more and more ambitious shapes. Around 600 CE, specialist workshops were producing thin, flat, intricate eccentrics whose skill modern flintknappers still find hard to match. Maya archaeologist David Freidel has compared the concentration the work required to that of a chess master. The first blow decided the overall shape, and the rest was patient flaking and pressure work. Eccentrics come in many forms. Zoomorphic ones show scorpions, serpents, and centipedes, while others depict weapons such as maces and clubs, and a few show human heads. A well-known group shows K'awiil, the Maya god of lightning, which fits the stone's old association with lightning. Archaeologists usually find eccentrics in groups, cached beneath stelae or placed in elite tombs as offerings. They show no sign of use, and some have tangs that suggest they were once mounted on staffs, lances, or scepters. Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection; ex-estate of Dr. Adolfo Gonzalez, Houston, Texas, USA, acquired 1985 to 2005 SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item # 205747
Condition
Some small chips to edges and weathering to surface, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive preservation of form. Old collection number inscribed on one side. Accompanied by custom display case.
Pre-Columbian, Guatemala, Maya, ca. 600–950 CE. An eccentric knapped from a single thin slab of chert. Its tall, narrow outline is broken by a row of deep notches and squared shoulders. At the top, two small prongs rise like a crest or a pair of ears. The middle section steps from side to side in alternating lobes, and the lower end narrows into a short, rounded tab that may be a tang for hafting. The stone is mottled cream, oatmeal, and pale umber, and both faces carry fine pressure flaking that keeps the piece remarkably thin. The silhouette may be read as a stylized creature or as an abstract emblem. The Maya made eccentrics as non-utilitarian prestige objects, too fragile to cut with. They were most likely meant for ritual deposit rather than for daily use. Size: 4.6" H x 1.6" W (11.7 cm H x 4.1 cm W); Riker case: 6.25" L x 5.25" W x 0.75" D (15.9 cm L x 13.3 cm W x 1.9 cm D). Early Mesoamericans prized flint and chert because the stone throws sparks when struck. They linked it to lightning and sometimes believed it formed where lightning hit the ground. Over many centuries Maya knappers worked chert, chalcedony, and obsidian into more and more ambitious shapes. Around 600 CE, specialist workshops were producing thin, flat, intricate eccentrics whose skill modern flintknappers still find hard to match. Maya archaeologist David Freidel has compared the concentration the work required to that of a chess master. The first blow decided the overall shape, and the rest was patient flaking and pressure work. Eccentrics come in many forms. Zoomorphic ones show scorpions, serpents, and centipedes, while others depict weapons such as maces and clubs, and a few show human heads. A well-known group shows K'awiil, the Maya god of lightning, which fits the stone's old association with lightning. Archaeologists usually find eccentrics in groups, cached beneath stelae or placed in elite tombs as offerings. They show no sign of use, and some have tangs that suggest they were once mounted on staffs, lances, or scepters. Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection; ex-estate of Dr. Adolfo Gonzalez, Houston, Texas, USA, acquired 1985 to 2005 SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item # 205747
Condition
Some small chips to edges and weathering to surface, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive preservation of form. Old collection number inscribed on one side. Accompanied by custom display case.
