Hupa basket, California, in large size and in beautiful condition, with open gallery edge at top, a woven foot that enables it to sit flat, the sides decorated with zig zag designs in cream color with dark edge on bottom band. Measures 10 7/8" on one side, 10 1/8" on the other and is roughly 4 3/4" high (a bit higher on one side than the other). The condition is remarkable, very little wear, no fading or losses, has been well cared for...

A rare and very attractive Peruvian stirrup spout vessel in the shape of a monkey. Moche period (100-600 AD) Condition: the four legs have been restored, the nose is chipped. This piece comes from an old Dutch private collection. Height 17 cm Width 15 cm

This seated figurine is dressed in Chieftain regalia and is wearing a fierce mask of a demon. It is carved from antler and has some glued repairs, but no restoration. It is from the Chimu, Peru culture, C950AD. See "The Gold of Peru", page 242 for similar carvings. It is 2" long by 1" wide and stands alone for display. It is from a Dutch private collection. Comes with certificate of authenticity.

This Tunjo is 5 1/2" long. Tunjos are from the Musica culture, 900AD-1500AD. This culture inhabited the high plateau in the area of modern Bogota. Most Tunjos that survived are made from gold or tumbaga. Obviously, many were made from bone, but being an organic material, very few bone ones have survived. In fact, this is the only one I have ever seen. I have had several gold Tunjos and they are unique and beautiful and in much demand. Needless to say, bone Tunjos are extremely rare.

These are five extremely rare copper skull bells/pendants that were found in an elite tomb at Monte Alban, Oaxaca in 1936. Each bell in about 1/2". They date to 1000-1500AD. Copper was mined largely from Guerrero. No cleaning or restoration, exactly as found. A must have for any pre-Columbian metallurgy collection.

This Taino engraved bone pendant has spectacular patina showing off its antiquity. It is 3 1/4" long. The holes are correct. The skull depiction is mesmerizing.

Large flat figure wearing a skirt, a turban and appliques. Condition: damage to the appliques, left arm repaired. Provenance: Arte Primitivo, New York, September 2005. H. 19 cm.

This jade piece has been specific gravity tested as true jadeite. It is 1 1/8" long and 1/8" to 1/16" thick and looks like it is a jade river worn pebble. It could easily be adapted for modern wear as a ring or necklace. It is ex-Keith Finello and has been authenticated by a forensic laboratory, Orenda Labs.

A wonderful small group of three ceramics, incl. a very large vessel shaped as a duck.

The duck vessel is around 24 cm. tall and massive, Tlatilco, Mexico, very early and rare, dating before 200 BC! One leg reattached and some minor chips. This comes with copy of the invoice from 1968!
Large expressive Jalizco pottery head mounted, 9 cm. wide.
A chorrera zoomorphic pot, 19 cm., from two large fragments.

Old Austrian Collection from the 1950s and onwards...

This Mayan alabaster poison bottle dates to the Classic Mayan period C300AD-600AD. It is 2 3/4" x 1 3/4". and has no repairs or restoration. It was found in Peten, Guatemala. It is from the well known Willard Leutze collection.

This is a very interesting Olmec jade maskette. It dates to 1200BC-600BC. It is 1 3/4" square. It is nicely scooped in the back. It has not been cleaned or polished. It is heavily encrusted with clay type material that will not come off with a pin prick. It does have splitting in several areas. However, the piece is solid and the cracks do not go all the way through. It is not translucent, but it is a very nice quality piece of jade...

Blackware vessel with spout in form of a dignitary's head and relief of feline predators, Moche, ca. 200-500 AD.

An extremely attractive and interesting vessel, Moche blackware with carved cats or panthers and decoration.

Size: 20 cm.

Condition: Choice, minor chip at spout, othervise intact.

Ex Estate sale of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany 2003 and since then in a Hessen Collection.

A lot of three very nice pottery vessels, pre 14th. cent. AD.

An intact pilgrim bottle type in glossy brownish ware, Moche Culture, c. 200-500 AD. Height 16cm.

A very rare and interesting zoomorphic vessel shaped as a seal, Columbia/Ecuador, 1st. mill. AD. Intact - hairline repair. Lenght 16 cm.

A nice anthropomorphic blackware vessel with many embossed warriors, Chimú, spout chipped, probably around 1100-1200 AD. Height 16 cm...

Interesting and decorative fragment of a figural tile, Mexico, Aztecs, 1300 to 1521 AD.

The tile showing two warriors or deities fighting, one holding a dagger and both with elaborate headdresses.

Size: 26 x 19 cm. Thick.

Condition: Fragmentary, with most of the motif preserved, some corrosion to the front and more so on the back. Remnants of mortar or plaster.

Provenance: Collection of Gunna Munkvad, Denmark, aquired from the 1950s-1980s.

1 3/8" long x 1 3/8" wide. Silver and semi-precious stones (turquoise, jet, abolony, carl). A knife wing god with silver wings and tail feathers, applied silver beading and scrolling wire details.

This Olmec "spoon" is 1 1/4" X 3/4" and is made from translucent fuchsite. It is generally accepted that these served as trays from which shamans inhaled hallucinogenic snuff. This piece is from the famous Keith Finello collection and dates to C900-600BC.

This limestone cement image of Quetzalcoatl was found by the famous Dr. Allen Heflin in September of 1954 and is so inscribed on the bottom. It still has its original obsidian eyes. It is 4" long. It is badly weathered, but the features are easily recognizable although the camera did not pick them up fully. It dates to 100BC-200AD. This is an extremely rare piece. I have not seen another.

This is a very nice solid figure blowing into a conch shell. It is attributed to the Protoclassic Nayarit culture of West Mexico, C100BC-250AD. It has the original pigments that are much brighter than the photos show. It is a beautiful patinized orange and black. There is a chip off the right rear foot. It was found by Dr. Allen Heflin on 7-26-53. It is 4 1/2" long. Please view my youtube video of this item at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp0CWm5KCiY