US DOLLAR
EURO
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR
CANADIAN DOLLAR
POUND STERLING
Product Description
ITEM #
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PC088
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ID
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Yoke
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FOUND
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Central America
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AGE
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1000 B.C. - 1200 A.D.
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SIZE
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16" high x 12.5" wide x 4" thick
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CONDITION
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NO REPAIR OR RESTORATION.
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NOTE
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CHOICE UNBROKEN AND COMPLETE
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INCLUDES CUSTOM STAND - Actual Item - One Only
Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet |
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Ritual objects in carved stone by Pre-Columbian cultures are by far, rarer and more desirable than much more plentiful ceramic objects. Amongst stone objects, the rarest pieces are large yet, portable works. This is an example of one of those pieces and very few opportunities come by in life where one can purchase such a magnificent specimen.
This MASSIVE polished stone object is a ritual Pre-Columbian ceremonial ballgame stone yoke from Mesoamerica, fashioned from a SINGLE block of stunning rich, dark green hardstone. A true MUSEUM-CLASS example of Pre-Columbian ritual and sacrifice, the ballgame of Pre-Columbian Central America was so widespread amongst many cultures and for many centuries. This popular and brutal sport was intertwined with deep ritual and human sacrifice. Defeated teams or opponents were sacrificed, most often by beheading. The macabre procedures and games are well-illustrated in a variety of ancient objects with the ballgame dating back at least as far as 1400 B.C. in Central America.
These stone yokes are known from excavations but their exact purpose remains a mystery. Various ancient objects depict ballgame players and sacrifice, many shown wearing these yokes around their waist. Perhaps these giant stone yokes were used for ritual burial of highly celebrated champions. Another thought is that these giant stone yokes served as a trophy awarded to long-time champions, presented to those lucky players who defeated their opponents over a memorable duration of time and avoided death by sacrifice. Whatever their function, they remain amongst the largest carved stone portable objects in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. A piece like this is the true "Holy Grail" acquisition and objects like this define prestigious collections, separating them from the mundane!
Amazingly, this specimen has survived UNBROKEN AND INTACT all through antiquity until today. It is 100% ORIGINAL AND INTACT WITH NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION. A custom steel museum stand is included which holds the yoke up for impressive display. The yoke's original polish is still preserved and undamaged by time, with a brilliant luster on the top, outsides and underside and with the interior surface left unpolished. The hand manufacture of such a magnificent object would have been reserved for the most skilled Pre-Columbian artisans and the dedication of such a yoke, to the most revered of nobles or players.
PRE-COLUMBIAN STONE BALLGAME YOKES ARE "SIGNATURE PIECES" RESERVED FOR THE FINEST INSTITUTIONAL AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS.
THE SCARCEST AND MOST VISUALLY IMPRESSIVE OF PRE-COLUMBIAN PORTABLE CARVED STONE RITUAL OBJECTS - IMMEASURABLY RARE!!!!
If you know the Pre-Columbian art market, you will need no convincing of just how rare this object is. Very few of these have ever come up for sale and most have not survived intact as this specimen is. With impacted sediment and mineral patina deep in microscopic crevices - traits ONLY seen in 100% ORIGINAL AUTHENTIC SPECIMENS. An extraordinarily rare specimen of Pre-Columbian ritual sacrifice objects. Includes our written unconditional lifetime certificate of GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY.
References:
- Fiedel, Stuart J., Prehistory of the Americas, 1992 - Freeman and Company, Early Man in America, 1973
- Hirth Kenneth, Obsidian Craft Production in Ancient Central Mexico, 2006
- Muser, Curt, Facts and Artifacts of Ancient Middle America, 1978
- Phillips, Charles, The Complete Illustrated History of the Aztec and Maya, 2008
- Pohl, John M.D., Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies. Oxford: 1991
- Schmal, John P., The History of the Indigenous Sinaloa. 2004 - Stuart, Gene, The Mighty Axtecs, 1981