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

This is an extraordinarily rare and unique carved bone Mayan plaque. This masterpiece is the finest I have ever seen and very few exist. It is 4 1/2" X 2 1/2" X 1/8". It is from the Aapo Bolon Estate which was collected by the family while living in Guatemala from 1920-1980. I inspected the entire collection of over 1000 pieces and found nothing incorrect in any item. This was the finest piece in the offering. It is from the Post Classic Period as it is made from Bovine bone...

This ultra-rare Spiro Mound shell carving is 2 1/4" and has two suspension holes. The shell is translucent and shows beautiful patina. The holes are correct. The figure appears to be holding a ceremonial monolithic flint mace. The figure is wearing an elaborate necklace with a cross pendant and ear spools. It also has a weeping eye motif. LeFlore County, Oklahoma. From the collection of the late Randy Jackson of Garden City, Michigan. A no-brainer for authenticity.

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.

This extremely rare Inca carved Llama bone blood cup depicts a battle scene. One figure is holding a copper tumi knife and the other is holding a knife. It is 3 1/4" tall and 1 5/8" wide. It is in very nice condition. Excellent age on surface. Both dressed in full battle regalia locked in mortal hand-to-hand combat. Patina is beautiful. Circa A.D. 1200-1400. Old museum number on bottom "115". From the Len Weidner Collection. This is one of the largest and finest collections in the country...

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.

Very unique translucent Spondylus shell human carving which is red/cream-colored found in the coastal area of Peru. 1 3/8" by 3/4". Collected in the 1950s by L. L. Dees. From the Len Weidner Collection. This is one of the largest and finest collections in the country. Len and his wife, Janie, publish the 'Who's Who in Indian Relics' 11 volume set. Their 10 page color collection can be viewed in Number 10. Purchased from Jim Bennett.

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 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 a beautiful Incan 18K hollow gold female idol. It is 1 1/2" tall and weighs 2 grams. Stands alone. This sale is for this figure only. The other items in the last picture are for size reference only.

This extremely rare incised Eagle effigy Aztec pipe was found by the famous Dr. Allen Hefin in western Mexico on 5/25/63. This piece is flawless in every way except for a tiny nick on the bottom of the stem. The patina is wonderful. It is 7" long and the bowl is 1" wide. This pipe is classified as a Michoacán procedentes and only a handful are known to exist. Three Aztec pipes were sold at Sotheby's auction on March 23rd, 2015 for $12,176. None were near as nice as this one...

These are five extremely rare copper skull bells/pendants that were found in an elite tomb at Monte Alban, Oaxaca in 1936. Each bell in about 1/2". They date to 1000-1500AD. Copper was mined largely from Guerrero. No cleaning or restoration, exactly as found. A must have for any pre-Columbian metallurgy collection.

This copper awl with antler handle and perforated for suspension was found by Dr. Allen Heflin in Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan in 1947. It is 8 1/2 long. Please view my youtube video of this item at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C30caNNItA.

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 is a very nice solid figure blowing into a conch shell. It is attributed to the Protoclassic Nayarit culture of West Mexico, C100BC-250AD. It has the original pigments that are much brighter than the photos show. It is a beautiful patinized orange and black. There is a chip off the right rear foot. It was found by Dr. Allen Heflin on 7-26-53. It is 4 1/2" long. Please view my youtube video of this item at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp0CWm5KCiY

This phenomenal 7 3/16" Llama Bone Flute is highly engraved with human effigy carvings with crown or headdress and was recovered in Pisac, Peru near Machu Picchu. It is highly polished. It is so translucent that when backlit with a flashlight, light passes through both sides of the bone. It has beautiful patina. A lot of work and pride went into creating this beauty. I purchased it from Jim Bennett who has written several books on detecting fakes and reproductions.

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 stunning pure gold and quartz necklace is from the El Bolo treasure. It was found by treasure hunters who struck a deal with the Colombian government, the Bank of Colombia and the local peasants whereby the treasure was divided up by some formula. The Royal Family of Saudi Arabia purchased many of the best pieces including full body suits. Artifacts from this treasure can be readily identified by the extreme purity of the gold which is 23K...

This incredible authentic Olmec true water blue translucent jadeite spoon, used to ingest hallucinogenic substances, is in the effigy of a jaguar tooth with an engraving showing the gum line. It has two holes drilled for suspension. The tooth is just shy of 2 1/2" and 1/2" wide. The material has specific gravity tested to be true jadeite...