Ca. 600-1500AD. Magnetite. 6 1/2″ high x 9″ wide x 4 1/2″ deep. The snake is relief-carved and wrapped around the cone, ending at the serpent’s head. Its body is incised with two bands of cross-hatched, alternating triangular shapes, a familiar Taino symbolic theme. The head is ornately carved with expressive deep-set eyes, a blunt nose, and an impressive tapering dental array. Embossed, human-like legs devolve to form a spider head, a common female symbol for weaving, pottery-making, and basketry. Two spirit portals are located at the top of the legs. The legs and feet point to a human transformation, a mythical union between the serpent and human. The base is concave, pecked and polished. Provenance: Acquired from the Palm Beach estate of Pre-Columbian collector William Jaffe, to Thomas Villanova. To the Larry Roberts Collection, author of Taino Sculpture Art of the Gods, Taino Hallucinogenic Implements Inhaling the Cosmic Dust, and Taino Zemis and Other Heads of State, Rediscovering Caribbean Art. BS in Archaeology, University of Florida and BA in Art History, University of Florida. Museum displays of Taino Art, Orlando Museum of Art (2013-2014) and Santa Fe College (2024-Present). Mr. Roberts has been a collector of Caribbean Pre-Columbian art for the last 60 years. Age appropriate wear.
