**Originally Listed At $400**

Pre-Columbian, Maya, Ca. 7th to 9th century CE. Two hand carved and polished green ear spools of enormous size! The larger is carved from a pale green stone into a circular shape with an elongated conical plug. Sets of three lines etched into the flare surface makes four quadrants that would be visible when worn. Two drilled holes near plug rim indicate possible use as a pendent as well as earspool. The other spool is a jade stone free of engravings. Jade earspools were symbolic of Maya royalty and the stone was revered for its beauty and spiritual power. The large hollow center was thought to be a passageway for the soul to pass through, and a communication link to their ancestors as spools were passed through generations. These spools illustrate the extreme modification ears must have had to endure for spiritual and ornamentation purposes. Size: 1.25" W x 2.75" H (3.2 cm x 7 cm) Size: 2.5" W x .75" H (6.4 cm x 1.9 cm)

Provenance: private North Carolina collection, USA, by inheritance in 2019; ex-private Holly Springs collection, North Carolina, USA, before 2000

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#157178

Abrasions to flares and rims. Repaired from two pieces. Small losses as shown. Nicks, surface wear consummate with age.