**Originally Listed At $1500**

Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 10th to 16th century CE. A massive bat wing pectoral, so called because of its resemblance to the flying mammal, carved from an olive hued greenstone that is of a massive size. The "wings" widen slightly towards their terminals with protruding tabs on the underside of each tip. The "head" is formed by a low rectangle at the upper center that is drilled through the center for suspension. Items of this general shape have been found from southern Mexico to Venezuela as well as on some islands in the Caribbean, often found in caches of other stone artifacts buried under floors of houses and temples, although their actual meaning is unclear. The Kogi and Ica people, who are direct descendants of the Tairona, wear similar items as rattles, attached to the elbows of dancers. They may have been used similarly in the pre-Columbian era. Size: 10.25" L x 2" W (26 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: private J. Hart collection, Houston, Texas, USA, acquired mid 1970s

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#167485

Repaired with wing tip reattached with hairline break line encircling the wing. Chip to wing and age expected surface wear. Modern paint flecks scattered on surface.