Arizona - Collectibles and Curiosities

MUSEUM PERFECTION ! AZTEC INFLUENCED LATIN AMERICAN COLONIAL ART AMAZINGLY RARE PIECE ! Approx. 14" x 8" x 2 1/2" After Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec empire, painting and sculpture schools were set up within missions to produce art for Roman Catholic worship in Spanish America to promote Christian evangelization. The works that emerge from this period are great historic treasures and tell us much about this time in history. Icons were important in this conversion process. Here is an Imagene that was likely employed in a church from the 17th century. It features 5 elaborately carved faces and figures depicting angels and saints. This piece is magnificent for many reasons, but the most important reason is that this piece illustrates the bridge between the Spanish and Aztec art schools. The Aztecs had developed the most splendid feather art in the world. Feather mosaics (arte plumario in Spanish, amantecayotl in Nahuatl), were created by specially trained and talented Aztec nobles. The blue green iridescent color of hummingbird feathers had made them a regular form of tribute to Aztec rulers and art that featured these feathers were incomparable. The Spanish art instructors adopted feathers into traditional Catholic imagery and this piece shows the result of such hybrid. Here feathers are prominently sculpted into the background and were polychromed with sensational hues to reflect the native love and cultural appreciation for feather art. Few feather mosaics survive because of their temporal frailty, but the wood worked feathers in this piece give scholars and collectors a lasting indication of how Aztecs stylistically used the feathers in their pieces. Aztec religious leaders wore headdresses and garments made of feathers - and here these saints appear to be wearing feather headdresses! Even after centuries, the colors of this piece are incredibly compelling. Fragments of the rich blue green pigment that was applied to mimic the hummingbird feathers are still present. The golds, yellows and browns display spectacular understanding of complementary colors. What's more this piece also shows Aztec sun imagery incorporated into the design! On the reverse side of the Saints' faces we see a vivid blue sun burst type design which clearly was an Aztec motif of the period and has no comparable counterpart in Catholic holy treasures...

STUNNING! PRE-COLUMBIAN INCAN CEREMONIAL SUN GOD VESSEL! CIRCA AD 1300-1500 TWO REPRESENTATIONS OF INCAN SUN GOD INTI (also known as Apu-punchau) DIMENSIONS: Approximately 12-1/2 " TALL by 4-1/2" WIDE This is the Holy Grail of Incan Pre-Columbian vessels. Here is an incredibly significant Incan Pre-Columbian terracotta ceremonial vessel with two depictions of INTI, the Incan Sun God on each side of the vessel with incredible details and beautifully preserved. Finding an Incan vessel with the depiction of Inti is quite rare. These were reserved for important ceremonial functions such as Inti Raymi - the festival in honor of the Sun God. What makes this one even more special is that the depiction of the Sun God nicely matches a 17th century document...

Antique Doll House Item #: AC-0214-03 Dimensions: 29”W x 19”D x 30”H

Beautiful jewelery set by well-known Navajo/Hopi artist Jesse Monongya. The earrings and the ring are inlaid with various stones including: Turquoise, Mother of Pearl, Lapis and Cora...

Circa 1880, Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Thermometer. In beautiful shape.

This is a typed letter from Albert Einstein to Mrs. Clotilde Orszag of New York hand signed by the noted physicist. The letter, written in German, is d...

Immerse yourself in the elegance and charm of yesteryear with this exquisite antique brass scale, a true testament to craftsmanship and beauty. Th...

Beautiful Modernist abstract panel link bracelet featuring green enamel and sterling geometric squares. It is a vintage bracelet in beautiful condition. It has a sturdy working ...

Important abstract elongated geometric form Peter Macchiarini studio brooch. Copper and sterling set with ebony, bone and mahogany in spherical and...

Handmade sterling Native American squash blossom necklace and earrings. The necklace was made by Navajo Native American crafts...

Modern scarab design vintage mixed metal necklace made in Mexico by ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Signed on the back: Ken Beldin. In excellent vintage condition. The pendant measures: 3" H x 2 1/4" W. The necklace chain is made of copper, shells, beads, and leather and is approximately 20" total length. The pendant bears a lovely green patina and hangs from the original chain. Ken Beldin (1900-?) was born in Mississippi and was educated at U. of C. Berkeley. He retired as head of a successful ad agency in Los Angeles in 1931 to travel through the Southwest. He worked for a time with Mexico’s National Railways attracting tourists to travel to Mexico by rail and was drawn into the rugged beauty of Mexico and its people. He set up a studio in Tenencingo South of Mexico City near Taxco and began creating one of a kind jewelry and sculpture. He was the custodian of a collection of archeological Pre-Columbian stones, and it was from these he derived his motifs. His "modern Ethnic" jewelry was considered to have the most feeling and the most authentic look of the Period. He worked throughout the 1940s and 1950s with copper, brass, steel, wood and leather. His work was admired and collected by some of the elite of Hollywood including Barbara Hutton, Edward G. Robinson, James Cagny and Sammy Davis, Jr. His friends in Mexico who also purchased his work were: Diego Riviera...

Modern design vintage necklace made in Mexico by ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Etched signature on the back: Ken Beldin. In excellent vinta...

Santo Domingo Pueblo artist Rodney Coriz sterling bracelet with spiny oyster and turquoise inlay. Measurements: Outside: 2-1/2" diameter x 1" wide. The circumference is 8." Fits approximately 7 1/2" wrist. Signed "Rodney Coriz" with his sun design and copyright symbol. Beautiful heavy Cuff made with excellent craftsmanship. Rodney Coriz is an exceptional young Santo Domingo jewelry...

Navajo artist Juan Willie Sterling Cuff Bracelet with crosses. Measurements: Outside: 2-1/2" Diameter x 1 1/2" Wide. The circumference is 7 1/2." Fit...

Fabulous Armadillo design 940 Taxco sterling jewelry set by Hector Aguilar. Graceful and solid. Belt and necklace are strung on the original ve...

Beautiful vintage copper necklace made in Mexico. By ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s, unsigned. Measures: 4" H x 1.75" W In excelle...

Beautiful vintage copper pin created in Mexico By ex-patriate artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Measures: 3.5" H x 1.75" W Signed on the back: Beldin & Mexico. In excellent vint...

Fabulous deco penguin design- bronze cigar stand by Connecticut sculptor Robert Garret Thew, (1892-1964). Signed on the base "G.Thew" and dated 1929. In e...