Two

South American Pre-Columbian

Stone Objects

Probably Tairona Culture

circa 100 to 1000 AD

SOLD

 dimensions:

approx 1 1/2" wide x 8 1/4" long x 1/2" deep

Two cut and polished greenstone tools or ceremonial objects. Dense green, well compressed, silica glued silt stone, similar to stone used in Tairona stone pendants.  Both are forked on one end, with a narrow "waist" and a paddle like shaft.  Smoothed edges, one more complex than the other.  Forked end on the more elaborate piece may be an effigy either fish, shark, or even mammalian.  Purpose unknown.  

THEORIES: 

Possibly they are some sort of weaving tools for use with a backstrap loom, such as bats or beaters. The shape is also reminiscent of gardening tools used to break up soil, or to gouge out small root systems.  They may be corn planting instruments, and the greenish color might have been chosen deliberately, because of the usage. The lower object in the photo (labeled 73 on the yellow tag) is highly reminiscent of the Olmec symbol for sprouting corn.  The V shape can be seen in certain Olmec heads, reported to represent the earth open and receptive to the corn kernel in planting.

Two Tairona ceremonial staffs with significant formal similarities to our listng. ( Please note these items are not part of our listing, and are only pictured as a reference. )

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