Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A wonderful ensemble of 8 spear tips that are hand-knapped from opaque black obsidian that exhibits a fantastic luster. Each spear tip features a petaloid form with a pointed tip, extremely sharp edges, and a squared-off butt end. The blades were perhaps secured to the ends of lengthy wooden poles with leather or textile strips to use as utilitarian tools, ceremonial implements, or weapons of war. Obsidian was revered by ancient Mesoamericans as being some of the finest and sharpest material available. Size of largest: 5.75" L x 1.3" W (14.6 cm x 3.3 cm); (display frame): 18.1" W x 12.1" H (46 cm x 30.7 cm)

Obsidian - also known as "iztli" - fascinated the ancient Mesoamericans; the Aztecs even had a god, Tezcatlipoca, who was the Lord of the Smoking Obsidian Mirror. The shockingly sharp edges and point of this piece demonstrate its great allure. In a world without metal, this sharp quality was especially important for ceremonies of ritual bloodletting and human sacrifice. The difficult-to-obtain material came from volcanic sources in the Sierra Madre of Mexico and Guatemala, traded hundreds of miles to meet the demand for sharp cutting tools and ritual objects, and then was struck using a deer antler or small hammer stone to form blades and other shapes.

Display stand shown in photos is for photography purposes only.

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s

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#162492

Obsidian pieces have not been examined outside of frame. Each piece has light encrustations and small nicks to peripheries, otherwise intact and very good. Great luster throughout.