Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. Skillfully carved from a single piece of grey stone, a marvelous mace head featuring a dog head on one end and a bear head at the other. The canine head is of considerably greater size and presents a pointed snout with an incised mouth, bulging eyes, and perky ears, all supported by a thick neck above 2 slender legs with petite paws that rest over the back of the bear. Alternatively, the bear displays a round snout, a slender mouth, bulbous eyes, and raised ears above a pair of extended front legs. A mace head like this was almost certainly created for ceremonial use rather than as a real weapon, likely buried with its owner or a prominent warrior to honor and accompany him in the next world. Size: 3.7" L x 2.3" W (9.4 cm x 5.8 cm)

Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection, acquired by descent from the owner's father, collection amassed between 1950 to 1990

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#135869

Expected softening of detail and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with light earthen deposits throughout.