Early American Pre-Historic Human Effigy Stone Paint Pallet, Anasazi culture 900 AD

All stone carvings from America’s Prehistoric southwest are scarce. The majority of known carved stones come from the
Mimbres, Hohokam or Casas cultures. So examples of stone carvings from the Anasazi culture
(circa 900–1300 AD) are rare especially human forms which are the rarest and some consider most desirable.

This pallet is likely unique.
The distinguishing characteristic of our paint pallet from the Anasazi culture is its creation from red sandstone- a material that was not used by
the Mimbres, Hohokam or Casas cultures.

Dimensions: 9.25 inches tall, 4.87 inches wide

Quality: it exhibits no less than seven distinct pigment colors on the surface. The obverse has a distinctive head with three dimensional eyes and nose; there are four horizontal bands of color: red, white, dark red/white and black. The center of the pallet has a distinctive white pigment and the border is executed in both red and black. There are two well-defined legs, one red and the other black, which terminate in distinctive feet. On the reverse we find in the center seven clearly defined concentric painted rings, each a different color.

Mystery
What this piece was used for is not 100% clear; while we believe it to be a paint pallet, a known ancient American relic form, it is possible that the center of this work of art held a reflective mica material which possibly would have made it similar to today’s mirrors.

Provenance: old New England collection

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our works of art come with our lifetime authenticity guarantee.
Our gallery based in Shelburne, Vermont USA has been dealing in authentic Native American, Japanese , Chinese, and Fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. The president personally travels across America and to China, Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition.