Ca. 600-1500 AD. Fine-grained greenstone. 8″ long x 6 1/4″ wide x 2 3/4″ high. The form is part human and part snake/bird. The headband and eyes are human elements, while the beak with teeth are some unknown characterization. The toothy projection is obviously a beak, but birds don’t have teeth. The dental array is likely a snake (vine boa) or possibly a crocodile (both animals are frequently portrayed in Taino art). The underside of the beak has been hollowed out to emphasize the bird’s bill. A configuration of overlapping bird head symbols decorates the head. Since birds influenced the weather (rain/hurricanes) and the snakes can depict water (rivers/clouds), it is likely these symbolic metaphors emphasize water. Rather than inscribing the design elements, they have been carefully pecked through a polished surface. This includes the eyes and nostrils. The base is slightly rounded. Provenance: Acquired from Jerry Moore, a Florida primitive art collector who was a member of the Peace Corps in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Curated by Larry Roberts, 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.
