An ornate pair of lime spoons with Sandpiper finials. These small spoons removed lime from specialized receptacles (caleros, poporus) as part of the coca chewing ritual. These tools resemble tupus, but their shaft is shorter, and they end in a small, convex spoon rather than a point. Special treatment was given to the spoon head. The casting would have been detailed, but after two millennia, it has been hidden under a gorgeous, rich, encrusted verdigris patina. North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 100 B.C. – 300 A.D.
Measures approx. 4″ and 3.5″. A wooden platform will accompany these pieces.
Price – $495 – Domestic Delivery Included
Finely made Valdivian Ceremonial Stone Axe. Symmetric and highly polished dark green stone. Custom display stand. Measures 6.25″ (16.87cm) tall. 7″ (17.78cm) mounted. Choice condition. Ecuador 4400-1450 B.C. These refined stone axes were symbolic and interred as payment to Mother Earth.
Professionally mounted and ready to display. Perfectly sized for an office desk.
A great interest in and desire for green stones developed during the Late Formative period. They were exotic in most areas and would have been sought in exchange over long distances as they became widespread in domestic and mortuary contexts. The dramatic growth in popularity of green stones also occurred at about the same time in Mesoamerica.
These objects are only known through archeological studies in northwest South America and have usually been described as” ceremonial axes.” However, the Museo Chileno of Precolumbian Art describes these as “Lithophones.”
Similar examples were published in Ancient Ecuador—Culture, Clay, and Creativity 3000-300 B.C. and appear at Casa del Alabado Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, Quito, Ecuador.
Provenance: Private Florida collection acquired in the 1970s-80s
Price – $1,245 – Domestic Delivery Included
For your consideration, here is an excellent opportunity to acquire a rare pair of small Chancay clay figurines called “Cuchimilcos” or “Star Gazers.” These twins stand at 7.5″/19.05 cm and 7.3″/18.54 cm in height; they are made from fired clay and painted in cream, with brown paint detailing their features. Each figure is carefully crafted, with detailed facial features and open arms, possibly symbolizing a welcoming gesture or an offering posture. Decorated tunics, perhaps depicting pollywogs, adorn them, enhancing their cultural significance and artistic charm.
The Chancay culture, flourishing on the central coast of Peru between 1200 and 1450 AD, is renowned for its distinctive pottery and textiles. Again, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire an actual set of Cuchimilcos, which intrigue people because they often appear in pairs within Chancay tombs. They are remarkably preserved and offer a rare glimpse into the burial practices and beliefs of the Chancay people. Some scholars suggest that these figures served as symbolic companions for the deceased, possibly representing a female counterpart intended to accompany the individual into the afterlife.
The craftsmanship of these figures highlights the Chancay culture’s attention to detail and symbolic expression. The creamy white base with brown paint application is typical of Chancay pottery, which often features simple yet expressive designs. The depiction of the tunics with possible pollywog motifs might hint at themes of fertility, water, or rebirth, though the exact significance remains a topic of scholarly debate.
These Cuchimilcos are more than just decorative items; they are cultural artifacts that offer insight into the spiritual and everyday lives of the Chancay people. Their well-preserved condition, coupled with their historical significance, makes them a valuable addition to any collection of pre-Columbian art. Whether you are a seasoned collector or new to the field, this pair of Chancay figurines represents a unique and meaningful acquisition.
Condition: Completely intact pairs.
Provenance: Florida collection; W Tooley, Friendswood, TX
Price – $985 – Domestic Delivery Included
A tall, pointed bottom amphora with faded negative resist black geometric decoration on a cream ground and painted red-brown geometric decorative highlights. The surface has scattered mineral deposits. There is a 1/2” rim chip and a few minor surface scratches; otherwise, it is intact.
Piartal cultural complex. Ca. 750 A.D.-1250 A.D. Highland Nariño region. Measures approx 24.5” H, 29.5” on the stand.
Custom metal base included – Ready for display.
Price – $2,200 – Domestic Delivery Included
Large Fine Nariño Vessel
A very large globular vessel from the Piartal cultural complex. Ca. 750 A.D. – 1250 A.D. Highland Nariño region. This rare, important olla is decorated with symbols of authority. Resist black-painted curved canes and spot elements integrated onto the cream-painted pot with added red and black framing lines. Measures approximately 18.5″ H, 13″ Dia., 44″ circum.
Completely intact with minor surface wear consistent with its age – Strong paint. Condition is Choice.
Price – $5,200 – Domestic Delivery Included
Fremont Clay Effigy Figure
An exceedingly rare unfired buff clay figure from the Fremont Culture. They are a prehistoric Native American culture that inhabited what is now the western United States, particularly in the present-day states of Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Colorado, during the Late Prehistoric period, roughly from about 700 to 1300 AD. The purpose of this figurine is still unknown, but it suggests these artifacts may be associated with religious rituals or fertility. Very little is known about this culture, but they are famous for their rock art. Their pictographs and petroglyphs depict trapezoidal figures with arms, legs, and fingers and are decorated with headdresses and necklaces.
This figurine measures approximately 4″ in height. It has a flat, broad face with a pronounced brow ridge and nose. Applied oval-shaped eyes with decorative incisions. Wears long beaded ear embellishments—the short arm with applied adornments. A simple choker attaches a large beaded pendent. There are traces of white pigment and black ash throughout. It is in choice condition.
Provenance: Ex Lozovsky, CA; Private Florida collection.
Note: Per the Advances in Archaeological Practice: Archaeological Fingerprinting and Fremont Figurines, just 400-plus documented Fremont figurines are known, most highly degraded and in broken condition.
This piece will also include an additional Certificate of Authentication by Jackson Gallery. Grade: G-9+ Note: Extremely Rare Form.
Price – $8800 – Domestic Delivery Included
Inca Warriors Sling (Huaraca-Waraka)
This unique battle sling was well constructed. It was made of twisted human hair and braided with Llama wool. One could speculate the reason for choosing one’s own hair in its construction was the lack of resources during wartime. The center cradle/pouch has a slit to secure the stone projectile—a very effective Inca weapon. When not in use, it was worn as a headband. Simultaneously, slings were also used for herding but generally made more colorful and used llama wool only. Other ceremonial dance huaracas are identifiable by their elaborate and complex braiding using multiple contrasting colors with no slit in its’ pouch.
Andean highlands, Peru. Ca. 1400 AD. Measures 75″ / 190.5 cm in length. Choice condition. Mounted in a vintage wood shadow box frame with a hinged door.
Provenance: P. Goodman collection, Houston, Tx
Price $1,255 – Domestic Delivery Included
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Published La Tolita-Tumaco Ceramic Plaque
This La Tolita-Tumaco ceramic plaque is in the form of a fish or leaf, as described in the book. In either case, the form symbolizes the vital relationship between humans and the balance of nature. The front surface is carved rough with a smooth red pigmented border. It has been theorized that these objects were used to grate Yucca tubular, but this function is doubtful as insignificant wear on these objects has been observed. We hypothesize that these instruments were used for ritual purposes. Intact. Measures 9.5″/23.5 cm. Esmeraldas region, Ecuador/Colombia. Ca 500 B.C. – 500 A.D.
Published in “Prima Dell America 4000 Anni Di Arte Precolombiana” a Cura Di Giuliana Zanetti, p. 253. A custom-made display and book will accompany this piece.
Provenance: Ex-European collection; Giovanni Rabito – Xanthos Gallery, Sydney, Australia 2006.
It displays beautifully on the included custom stand.
Price: $2,825 – Domestic Delivery Included
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Inca Serpentine Stone Axe
A dark green T-shaped Serpentine Inca stone axe. Both sides are polished with a perforation hole. The prior owner has cleaned one side of the stone, exposing the stone’s luster. Some wear to the edge; otherwise, it is in excellent condition. The axe measures 4.5″ in length, 4.25″ wide, and 0.75″ in thickness. Highland of Ecuador, Ca. 1400 – 1550 A.D. An excellent specimen.
This stone axe represents the fine craftsmanship of the Inca culture during the late period, just before the Spanish conquest. The “T-shaped” design, characteristic of Inca tools, reflects its utilitarian and ceremonial functions. The dark green serpentine stone, a favored material among Andean cultures, was prized for its aesthetic qualities and symbolic significance. It was believed to hold protective and spiritual powers.
The perforation hole suggests that this axe may have been hafted and potentially used in practical and ceremonial practices. The polishing on both sides indicates meticulous care in its creation, signifying its value and possibly its association with a person of status. The slight wear on the edge is consistent with use, yet the overall condition remains excellent, making it a rare artifact.
Inca stone axes like this one were integral to agricultural, construction, and ceremonial contexts, symbolizing strength and resilience. The well-preserved state of this axe, particularly its polished surfaces and intact perforation, adds to its desirability for collectors and scholars.
Overall, this serpentine axe is an exceptional example of Inca stonework, offering a tangible connection to one of South America’s most sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations. Its historical significance and excellent condition make it a valuable addition to any collection of ancient artifacts.
Price $825 – Domestic Delivery Included
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases
Jalisco Seated Female Holding Bowl
A sweet-looking Jalisco seated female holding a bowl. This hollowed pottery figure has a white slip surface with an overall dark sediment deposit encrusted. Her delicate facial characteristics, accentuated by a nose ring, are naturally inspiring. She is bare-chested and wears a knee-length skirt. She raises her right arm while holding a bowl on her left shoulder with her left arm.
West Mexican shaft tomb figures like this one are named for a key architectural feature of their culture. Jalisco, on Mexico’s southwest coast, was part of this culture, along with nearby Colima and Nayarit. They dug deep shafts into volcanic rock, leading to burial chambers. These chambers were often beneath homes and held many family members’ remains. The figures, including this one, were placed inside, maybe in conversation with the dead. We’re still unsure if they represent specific people or have a religious purpose. Despite this mystery, they remain beautiful and thought-provoking relics of the past.
c. 300 BC – 300 AD.
It measures 7.5” in height.
Provenance: C. Hagemann, OR. Acquired 1980’s
It’s an absolutely gorgeous piece. This artifact would make a significant addition to any collection. It offers a glimpse into ancient Jalisco society and serves as a powerful symbol of womanhood. Its size, condition, and historical importance make it a valuable and visually striking piece of pre-columbian art.
Price $1,295 – Domestic Delivery Included
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Regional Division of Pre-Columbian Americas’ Major Archaeological Cultural Phases