Lot 61, Auction 4/20/2026: Maya Chert Uniface Blades – Belize

$910.00

In stock

Pre-Columbian, Belize, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A striking pair of large hand-knapped chert blades exemplifies the technical skill and material mastery of Maya lithic craftsmanship. Each blade is formed from locally available chert, carefully reduced through controlled percussion flaking to produce broad, tapering forms with sharp working edges. The uniface construction, with flaking concentrated primarily on one face, results in a subtly convex profile, while the opposing surface remains comparatively smooth, preserving the natural character of the stone. Visible flake scars create a rhythmic pattern across the surface, reflecting deliberate strikes and a practiced hand guiding the shaping process. Size: 2.5″ W x 9.2″ H (6.4 cm x 23.4 cm)

Such blades were essential tools within Maya society, serving a range of functions from butchery and craft production to ritual use. Larger examples like these may have held particular significance, possibly reserved for specialized tasks or ceremonial contexts, where the act of cutting carried symbolic meaning tied to sacrifice, agriculture, or renewal. The warm, earthy tones of the chert, combined with the bold scale of the blades, give the pair a strong visual presence. Together, they stand as enduring evidence of Maya ingenuity, where utility and form converge in objects both practical and culturally resonant.

Condition: Some chips, nicks, and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, both are mostly intact and very nice.

Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

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