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PUBLISHED TAINO MONUMENTAL HEAD CEREMONIAL DISPLAY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
PUBLISHED TAINO MONUMENTAL HEAD CEREMONIAL DISPLAY
Taino. PreColumbian. Published. Monumental head made from Lignum vitae and likely represents an important cacique/priest. The size suggests it was used for ceremonial display. Three interlocking bird heads grace the brow line. This extraordinary carving has a snake emerging from the forehead. The head of the snake traditions to a flamingo-like bird. Flamingos still inhabit Lake Enriquillo in the western part of the Dominican Republic. To emphasize the bird, 2 large wings have been incised on the back. This gives the figure a full bird-like persona when vied from the back. (See Roberts, 2023 Pg. 198). The snake and bird have an ancient relationship in Mesoamerica as Quetzalcoatl or Feathered Serpent. Height 14.17”. Published in “Taino Zemis and Other Heads of State, Rediscovering Caribbean Art.”. Pg. 198. Dominican Republic. Acquired 1972 from A. Maremont collection Barbados to Roberts Collection 1978. Taino Culture 600-1500 AD. Curated by Larry Roberts author of “Taino Sculptures, Art of the Gods”. “Taino Hallucinogenic Implements Inhaling the Cosmic Dust” and newly released “Taino Zemis and Other Heads of State, Rediscovering Caribbean Art”. BS. Archeology U of Fl and BA Art History U of Fl. This lot has a reserve.