Unknown figure

Hey all

I am back with another interesting figure. I did not find anything about it in the net, I don't even know what kind of material it is made of.
The surface is quite smooth.

Its Height is around 6.5cm (2.65 Inch), Weight 110g

Thank you for any help.

Cheers, Mithrur

 

More Pics

 

Please go back and press the Full Image button, so everyone can see your photos better

 

I have not seen anything quite like it. That said, from your photos it looks like it might be a type of "greenstone", in the form of a crouching animal with an elongated head.

"Greenstone is a common generic term for valuable, green-hued minerals and metamorphosed igneous rocks and stones which early cultures used in the fashioning of hardstone carvings such as jewelry, statuettes, ritual tools, and various other artifacts. Greenstone artifacts may be made of greenschist, chlorastrolite, serpentine, omphacite, chrysoprase, olivine, nephrite, chloromelanite among other green-hued minerals.[1] The term also includes jade and jadeite, although these are perhaps more frequently identified by these latter terms.[2] The greenish hue of these rocks generally derives from the presence of minerals such as chlorite, hornblende, or epidote.[3]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenstone_(archaeology)

Looking at the single hole through the piece (under the animal's "head"), is it a straight cylindrical hole, or is it hourglass shaped ("biconical")? Such details of workmanship may be helpful in attribution.

 

Looks like a knuckle ring weapon?

I cannot quite figure out if a finger or two would fit in there?

 

Mithrur says it is only about 2 1/2" long, so it seems too small to fit finger into. I was thinking more along the lines of a strap/belt loop of some sort, (if had a specific function at all). The long loop could just be a representation of a tail.

 

Very interesting little thing. The profile of it reminds me somewhat of the some mayan aztec figure stone carvings you get (without the big loop bit that looks like a little handle) Maybe this is for a necklace/pendant or something.

 

Sorry about the Thumbnails, should be better now.

It's very interesting to read here. As for a weapon, there is no chance, you can put your fingers through there.

The Hole in the head is formed like an hourglass, so not straight

 

Very interesting! The hour glass shape of the hole speaks oldie, drilled from two faces till one hole joins the other.
Could it be metal? Try a magnet to see if it is ferrous...

 

Mesoamerica would be one of the areas where various greenstones were used.

 

Damn, "Don't reply, Don't reply, Don't reply" - LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was thinging some kind of handle that could be applied to a hot stoneware pot to carry it.

 

Good Morning
no, its not magnetic.
I was thinking about Mesoamerica too but did' not find anything similiar

 

looks like a snake on a jaguar..

 

Here are a few Pre-Columbian objects from Costa Rica, described as pendants, with the same basic shape. The first one came up in a google image search, and indicated it was included in a Christie's auction, but the link to the specific info at Christie's was broken.




http://www.costaricajourneys.com/jade-museum/


https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/317715

 

Wow that 's great, thanks a lot, 2manybooks
there are really similarities. Top!