Description: This Ancient Masterpiece Aztec Stone Bowl with a zoomorphic turtle motif weighs 11.5 lbs. and measures 6.5” long x 5.5 “ wide X 4.75 “ high . The bowl was acquired from the esteemed Collection of Larry Lantz at First Mesa in the mid 90’s and has been in a private collection ever since. Larry Lantz was a well respected and published collector, dealer and grader since the 1960’s, and well known throughout the USA. He contributed his expertise to many well-know publications and grading catalogues, as well as curated many collectors acquisitions. This piece was originally purchased from Larry Lantz himself in person, an expert in his field he knew the value of having a centerpiece like this in a collection. The Aztec bowl is made a type of greenstone. Most likely originating from the Motagua Valley area in Guatemala prized by the Aztec and Maya, jadeite and greenstone was often considered by ancient people as more valuable than gold. Only Aztec elite could handle or possess such an object as this unique bowl, which lends itself to believe it was used in Aztec rituals by the royal and/or priest class. Artistically unique and skillfully carved from one solid stone, the bowl is very large and dense, with artistic protruding carvings of 8 snapping turtles 2 on each corner. The turtles are almost identical on each corner and the entire piece is very symmetrical created by a Master Aztec carver, including fine detailing/interpretations of shells, skin, eyes, tails, and decorative lines on the entire outer facade. The rim of the bowl is uniform and smooth to the touch. The large ‘bowl’ potion of the piece is carved from the very center of the piece. 5” x 3.5” in an almost perfect cylindrical shape carved directly from the core of the stone, the base of the hole is flattened at the bottom and reveals the pecking technique used to create the finished piece. In many ways from a manufacturing aspect the hollowed out core is one of the most impressive portions of this masterpiece. The inside walls of the bowl look much like the inside of an indigenous/pre contact stone pipe, but on a much larger scale. The bottom of the bowl is level and decorated in a cross fashion, the ancient artist/carver spared no details. The greenstone is highly polished and has a greenish tinge, and working lines can be seen as well as divot type marks for decoration. Turtles were sacred to the ancient people of Mexico, thought to be able to transcend the earth and travel between realms, because of their ability to live on land and in water. Often related toMother Earth, fertility, music and the bringers of rain… the representation of the turtles on this bowl attest to the bowls ‘magical' components.This unique piece, considered a Museum Quality Masterpiece... would be considered the 'center piece’ of your Pre Columbian Collection.Old Aztec or Nahuatl word for jade was “chalchihuitl”, which, with its associations of divinity, has been translated to mean both “heart of the earth” and “beauty”. Provenance Larry Lantz CollectionWeight 11.5 lbs.Size 6.5” l x 5.5” w x 4.75” hOrigin MexicoCulture AZTECMaterial StoneCirca 1350- 1521 Please feel free to ask any questions about the piece, I have included zoomable photos in the gallery for close detailed inspection.Feel free to contact me for additional information.
Price: 12500 USD
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
End Time: 2024-08-20T00:37:22.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Color: Green
Material: Stone
