Copan Stellae

Click For More Views

A pre-Columbian female fertility votive offering which symbolizes life, was buried in a corn field  to bring attention to their gods so they may look upon the crop favorably.  This would have been purchased or traded for in an ancient   marketplace.

This piece is approximately 2" high and 1½" wide, it still retains some of it's original red and blue glaze.  It was excavated in Michoacan, Mexico and  was once part of the Borenstein Collection.

$325.00

Click For More Views

This brown, glazed, Pre-Columbian seated figure has it's right hand held to an open mouth.  The headdress is beautifully shaped as are the earrings.  It is approx. 3½" high, 2¼" wide and 3" in diameter. It was excavated in Michoacan, Mexico and  was once part of the Borenstein Collection.  A remarkable, complete piece.

$580.00

Click For More Views

This Pre-Columbian head is a mythological figure and is to be taken, either as a god itself, or as representing certain powers of the gods.  It is approx. 1½" high and 1½" wide.  It was excavated in Michoacan, Mexico and  was once part of the Borenstein Collection.  Note the coffee bean, slanted eyes, it dates from 200 B.C.

$125.00

Click For More Views

This Pre-Columbian female fertility torso is made of clay.  It shows the intricate details of the clothing and necklaces.  It is approx. 2½" tall and 2¼" diameter.  It was planted in a field of corn as a votive offering.  It was excavated in Michoacan, Mexico and  was once part of the Borenstein Collection.  It dates from 200 B.C.

$250.00

This Pre-Columbian head is made of red-orange clay.  Her face has eroded over time and only the prominent features remain; the headpiece, nose and eyes.  In spite of it's condition, it remains a stunning piece.  It is approx. 2" high and 1¼" wide.  It was purchased as museum surplus from the Brooklyn Museum in New York.

$200.00

Click For More Views

#17

Pre-Columbian fertility figures were often buried in corn fields as an offering to the gods.  This glazed torso was made 3000 years ago.  The size is approx. 1" high and 1" wide.  It was once part of the Borenstein Collection.

This Pre-Columbian head appears to be smiling.  It is made of clay and the earring shows clearly.  It is approx. 2" tall and 2" wide.  It was purchased as museum surplus from the Brooklyn Museum in New York.

$250.00

#18

This are rare major pieces from our ancient bead collection.  These fine large Inca bead examples date to about 1300 A.D.  The carnelian bead is  just ½" in diameter, and among the very finest ancient bead you will ever see. The jade beads are a bit smaller.  All are bi-conically drilled and were very valuable objects when made.  They are a fine addition to any antiquities collection.  They were purchased as museum surplus from the Brooklyn Museum in New York.

Large Carnelian Bead $120.00

Medium Jade Bead $175.00

Small Jade Bead $135.00

Almost no site in Mesoamerica is without obsidian. It was an item that had frequent, common and ritual use. Aztecs cut their tongues and ears with obsidian blades on ritual occasions, caught the falling blood on the index finger, and flipped the blood in the direction of the sun or moon.  This piece was excavated in Michoachan, Mexico and was once part of the Borenstein Collection, imported into the United States before 1972.  This obsidian arrowhead is 1½" wide, ¾" high.  It dates from 500 B.C. to 200 A.D.

$75.00

Obsidian was abundant in all households and was found in hunting, agriculture, and many other everyday situations. Examples of obsidian tools are knives, lances and dart points, blades used for carving, woodworking or arrowheads and spearheads for ritual warfare.  This obsidian tool was excavated in Michoachan, Mexico and was once part of the Borenstein Collection.  This obsidian  arrowhead is 2" long.  It dates from 500 B.C. to 200 A.D.

$45.00

The practical use of obsidian was almost inevitable considering that obsidian has the potential to be one of the sharpest materials on earth. When skillfully worked, the edge of a prismatic obsidian blade has the potential to reach the molecular level, that is the material can sustain a cutting edge that is only one molecule thick.  Today surgical instruments are sometimes made with obsidian since the evenness of their cut permits much faster healing.  It was excavated in Michoachan, Mexico and was once part of the Borenstein Collection.  This obsidian arrowhead is 2" long and dates from 500 B.C. to 200 A.D.

$45.00

The Aztec aristocracy wore obsidian jewelry; priests and nobles used highly polished obsidian mirrors to divine the future.  The Aztecs called their obsidian-edged sword macuahuitl. Usually the swords were lined with ten blades; five on each side.  This piece was excavated in Michoachan, Mexico and was once part of the Borenstein Collection.  This obsidian arrowhead is 1¾" long and dates between 500 B.C. and 200 A.D.

$45.00

Obsidian pieces are shaped by fracture as in the production of blades or knives. It may also be formed by pecking and grinding, producing arrowheads.  This piece was excavated in Michoachan, Mexico and was once part of the Borenstein Collection.  This obsidian arrowhead is 1¾" long and dates between 500 B.C. to 200 A.D.

$45.00

Click For More Views

This extremely rare, museum quality 16th set was brought to the New World when the Spaniards began their conquest of Mexico in 1514.  It's use is unknown, although it resembles a weapon that was used by the Conquistadors.  It is highly decorated, made of iron and is 9" tall, the top is approx. 7" from left to right.  It was part of a private collection.

$850.00

Pre-Columbian Glazed Terracotta Vessel, 600-1200 A.D  This attractive small vessel has an overall buff color with alternating lines painted in red.  It was excavated in Costa Rica in 1980.  It was part of a private collection.

$110.00

Pre-Columbian Glazed red and black terracotta bowl, ca. 600-1200 A.D.  It was excavated in Costa Rica in 1980.  It is 6" high.  It was part of a private collection.

$110.00

Pre-Columbian Glazed red and white terracotta bowl, ca. 600-1200 A.D.  It was excavated in Costa Rica in 1980.  It is 2½" high.  It was part of a private collection.

$75.00

Pre-Columbian Glazed tri- footed terracotta bowl, ca. 600-1200 A.D.  It was excavated in Costa Rica in 1980.  It is 2½" high.  It was part of a private collection.

$75.00

Pre-Columbian tri-footed terracotta Vessel, 600-1200 A.D.  It was excavated in Costa Rica in 1980.  It is 5½" high.  It was part of a private collection.

$110.00

Pre-Columbian terracotta tripod bowl, ca. 600-1200 A.D.  It was excavated in Costa Rica in 1980.  It is 4½" high.  It was part of a private collection.

$110.00

Pre-Columbian  terracotta bowl is decorated with three effigies around the rim, made  600-1200 A.D.  It was excavated in Costa Rica in 1980.  It is 6½" high.  It was part of a private collection.

$110.00

Pre-Columbian  terracotta bowl is decorated with three effigies around the rim, made  600-1200 A.D.  It was excavated in Costa Rica in 1980.  It is 2½" high.  It was part of a private collection.

$110.00