Lot 74

Chumash Carved Charm Stone - Two-Faced Effigy Totem

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Lot 74
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Chumash Carved Charm Stone - Two-Faced Effigy Totem
Chumash Carved Charm Stone - Two-Faced Effigy Totem
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Chumash Carved Charm Stone - Two-Faced Effigy Totem

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500

Starting Bid: $500

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
August 6, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Native American, United States, West Coast, California, Chumash, ca. 1000–1800 CE. A rounded cobble of reddish sandstone, worked into a compact charm stone bearing an incised, pale-lined effigy on its face. The ground surface reveals a schematic figure, perhaps anthropomorphic or a spirit being, its raised arms and rounded forms picked out against the warm stone by a chalky mineral residue. Charm stones of this kind held potent significance among the Chumash of coastal southern California, credited with influence over weather, hunting, fishing, and the movement of game and fish. Often deposited in caches, buried in fields, or suspended near dwellings, they served as instruments of supernatural power wielded by shamans and ritual specialists. The stone sits comfortably in the palm, its worn contours suggesting long handling and the accumulated intention of ceremonial use. Size: 4" W x 3.8" H x 1.2" D (10.2 cm W x 9.7 cm H x 3.0 cm D).

The Chumash inhabited the coast and Channel Islands of what is now Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. Their charm stones (sometimes called "plummet stones" when elongated) are among the most enigmatic objects of California archaeology. Ethnographic accounts gathered by John P. Harrington describe such stones as tools of the 'antap ritual specialists, believed to command rain, guide swordfish and other marine resources, or bring success in hunting. Many were interred as offerings or kept concealed, their power understood to be dangerous if mishandled.

Provenance: private Saint Louis, Missouri, USA collection acquired between 1970 and 1995

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This item may fall under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act or other federal laws protecting Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian cultural heritage. As such, it is not eligible for international shipping, and may also be subject to repatriation or tribal consultation within the United States. Buyers are responsible for ensuring their legal right to acquire, possess, or transfer this item under all applicable laws.

Item # 204010

  • Condition: Weathering and abrasions to surface, as well as some chipping to edges, all commensurate with age. Light remains of an inscription on one side. Otherwise, good with liberal remaining detail and rich earthen deposits throughout.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000