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Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Incan Empire, ca. 1200 to 1532 CE. A beautiful bead, hand-carved from a mottled cobalt-hued stone with white veining known as sodalite. The figure stands upon attenuated legs with both arms draped to the sides of a rounded chest, and a stocky neck supports an enlarged head. The minimalist visage is composed of almond-shaped eyes, a triangular nose, a petite mouth, and a wide brow, all beneath a simple cap. Bright red cinnabar accents are rubbed into areas surrounding the head, chest, and legs and imbue the figure with a vibrant chromatic contrast to the violet blue color of the stone. Biconically-drilled from the top of the head through to the base, this bead would have likely served as a pendant on a larger necklace or accessory. Size: 0.325″ W x 0.75″ H (0.8 cm x 1.9 cm).
Condition: Surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age, fading to some finer details and areas of cinnabar accents, and minor losses to cinnabar in some areas, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits and great remains of red cinnabar throughout.
Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection
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