Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian (86)

This 18K gold bell is a real beauty with original clapper intact which gives an extremely pleasing tinkle. It is 7/8". This is especially beautiful gold. It weighs 13.4 grams. The sound of bells were used by shamans in their magical rituals to open portals or manifest will. It has a large decorated loop on top allowing it to be worn with a large chain. An outstanding piece of pre-Columbian jewelry.

This is a very unusual artifact. It is bone that has been covered with 22K hammered gold. It is 8" long. It is either a pectoral or perhaps a nose ornament. The bone is broken near the center, but is completely covered by the gold. It is from La Tolita, Ecuador C500BC-500AD. This piece was found with a gold death mask in a tomb. It was found lying next to the mask and was part of the mask. The two were separated. The mask sold for $75,000. It is from the Ken Klassen collection, Bogota.

This extremely rare authentic Mayan Guatemalan jadeite skull was found in Belize and dates to 1500BC-300AD. It is from the collection of Marvin King. It has a certificate of authenticity from Jim Bennett with seal and can be verified online. He wrote the book "Avoiding Reproduction & Altered Ancient Indian Arrowheads". It is 100% translucent. It has beautiful patina and mineralization. It is drilled for suspension. The holes are correct. It is 1 1/16" long...

Three Aztec pipes were sold at Sotheby's auction on March 23rd, 2013 for $12,890. None were as near as nice as this one or even the other three I have for sale here. If you would like a link to this Sotheby's auction, please e-mail me. This unusual zoomorphic pipe depicts a duck. Original red paint covers much of the polished black-brown surface and eyes and bill are outlined by incision. Ducks were associated with rain gods...

This extremely rare 6 1/2" angular owl effigy pipe was found by Dr. Allen Heflin in 1958 at the Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan site in Mexico. It is type 3A. The pupil of the right eye is missing. This is truly a fabulous pipe of which only a few exist in private collections.

This is an extroadinarily rare Aztec ceramic pipe. There are only 3 others of this earliest type known to exist. It was found by Dr. Allen Heflin on 12/2/60 in Cuautitlan, Mexico. The end of the stem has been broken off and appears to have been glued back on. This is not the prettiest of the 4 pipes I have listed, but it is the oldest likened unto Paleo vs. Archaic. I have what I believe to be the largest and finest collection of Aztec pipes in private hands.

This finely carved shell skull was found by the famous Dr. Allen Heflin on 9-16-61 in Cuautitlan, Mexico. This Aztec piece dates to 1200AD. It is drilled for suspension. A nice little ancient piece that could be used in jewelry. It is 1/2" long and solid.

This is one of my favorites from the Heflin ceramic collection. It has been broken and glued back together and is missing parts. Dr. Allen Heflin found this piece in Xico, Mexico in 1960 according to his journal. He must have hung it on his wall since he glued a wire to the back. This is a clear representation of a man either emerging or being swallowed by Quetzalcoatl. It is 6" long by 5" wide. The imagery scrams pre-Columbian. It is attributed to the Aztec culture C1300AD.

This pre-Columbian Chancay bone flute is from the central coast area of Peru, 800AD-1200AD. It is 6" long and has four holes on the top and one on the bottom. The knuckle is carved with a very nice frog and two serpents/snakes along the sides. It is in beautiful, solid condition with superb patina. A real no-brainer. I purchased it on October 12, 1989 from HD Enterprises.

This very fine drilled 6 1/4" carved bone shawl or hair pin depicts three birds eating a large snake and is engraved on both sides. It is beautifully patinated.

This Chavin 23-24K pure gold hammered pendant or nose ornament depicts the Chavin Monster/Dragon swallowing some poor sap whole with his head sticking out of the monster's mouth and blood spurting out of the top of his head. It is paper thin and 1 5/8" in diameter. This grizzly macabre scene is a true masterpiece of pre-Columbian art. It has been verbally authenticated by a forensic laboratory specializing in pre-Columbian gold that uses 10 steps to pass authentication...

This fabulous carved tablet has been attributed to the Chavin culture, Peru and has been dated to 600BC-300BC. It depicts in shallow relief an anthropomorphic zoomorphic figure squatting upon a double bar. Exotic birds, snakes, saurian beasts and fantastical creatures are depicted in a transformational environment. The entire design is bi-symmetrical. Two pairs of holes have been drilled 1/5th from the top of the tablet...

This is a hammered sheet silver breastplate with the neatest iconography that I have seen. This piece screams pre-Columbian. It depicts a fanged anthropomorphic transformational diety war god figure in full regalia holding 3 double-headed snakes/serpents wearing an elaborate feline/monster headdress showing fierce demon facial features. It shows many levels of patination. It is 7.2" X 5.7". It is attributed to the Chavin culture...

This Classic Mayan mother-of-pearl figurine is 1 1/8" wide. It was found by Dr. Allen Heflin. Although I could not capture it in photos, it is nicely opalescent. It would make a very unusual jewelry finding. It is C300-900AD.

This hematite Colima miniature effigy axe is 3 1/2" long and was found by the late Dr. Allen Heflin on 12-31-47. It is so inscribed on the back in his distinctive black ink. This is a fabulous extremely rare piece. I have seen only two others and they were not nearly as nice as this one. If you are an axe collector, this is a must have. Please view my youtube video of this item at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQt-yXflSlE. Due

This stunning miniature Colima warrior is 1 1/2" tall. It is from the estate of the late Lynn Langdon. The figure was acquired in Mexico in the mid-20th century and is attributed to the Colima horizon, c.300BC-300AD.collection. The right arm has been cleanly broken and glued together. A fabulous little beauty.

This ceramic Colima warrior is 6" long. It is in perfect condition with no dings, restoration or repair. It is from the estate of the late Lynn Langdon. The figure was acquired in Mexico in the mid-20th century and is attributed to the Colima horizon, c.300BC-300AD. Please view my youtube video of this item at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5mdTRv36FY.

This ceramic warrior is in the process of throwing a rock with another in his hand and a basket full on his back. It is from the estate of the late Lynn Langdon. The figure was acquired in Mexico in the mid-20th century and is attributed to the Colima horizon, c.300BC-300AD. It is 4" tall. It retains some red pigment. It has a small chip off the back which I have and can be glued back on. Please view my youtube video of this item at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkt0z56QMvE.