Ancient Mesoamerican Stone Metate. This three legged diagonally slanted object is a traditional grinding stone used by ancient civilizations in Central and South America to process grains, seeds, maize. An accompanying tool called a mano would be held with both hands and raked up and down to break apart the objects upon it, and both were usually made from volcanic rocks like basalt or lava stone. Today this form is still in use in some remote parts of the region by descendants of the Mayan, Aztec, Zapotec and other civilizations, primarily in creating tortilla dough. 

Provenance: Purchased from the California Academy of Sciences. Damaged in the 1906 Earthquake.  

Size: 20 1/2 x 13 1/4 x 11 in. 

  • Provenance:

    Purchased from the California Academy of Sciences. Damaged in the 1906 Earthquake. 

  • Condition:

    All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.

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BIDDER MUST ARRANGE THEIR OWN SHIPPING. Although SEA will NOT arrange shipping for you, we do recommend our preferred shipper Premier Shipping & Crating at [email protected]
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Brennan with The UPS Store #0089 - 941-413-5998 - [email protected]
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Steve with The UPS Store #4074 - 941-358-7022 - [email protected]
Everett with PakMail - 941-751-2070 - [email protected]

by Sarasota Estate Auction
June 14, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
522 South Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota , FL, US 34236

Sarasota Estate Auction

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $249 $25
$250 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,499 $100
$2,500 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $19,999 $500
$20,000 $49,999 $1,000
$50,000 $99,999 $2,500
$100,000 $249,999 $5,000
$250,000 $499,999 $10,000
$500,000 + $25,000