Lot 226

Early Moche Bone Clenched Fist Spatula | Battle Scenes

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Early Moche Bone Clenched Fist Spatula | Battle Scenes

Estimate: $5,000 - $7,500

Starting Bid: $2,500

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
June 11, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Moche, ca. 200 BCE - 400 CE. Exceptional carved bone ceremonial spatula with an elaborately carved handle with five finely carved banded registers. The center band depicts two battle scenes, three registers with jaguars and various animals with sun and geometric elements, with tiny inset turquoise stones. Bottom band with geometric elements inset with mother-of-pearl. The clenched fist is also highly decorated with relief carved geometric elements and a scene depicting an enthroned winged deity facing a standing warrior wearing a tumi decorated helmet and holding a kero in his raised left hand, and a small sitting prisoner tethered with a rope around his neck, with two jaguars behind the winged deity. A very rare, top quality example. Size: 8.63”H (21.9cm).

Provenance: Private Chicago collection, acquired from Robert Morris Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM, 2004. Ex. Primitive Arts Gallery, Tucson. Acquiured from the Cannizo family, Boston, late 1970’s.

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Item # 71828

  • Condition: Excellent ancient surface patina. Some insets missing, otherwise intact, excellent condition.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 + $1,000