Important Taino Ceremonial Celt
Dominican Republic
1200 - 1500 AD
Height 10 1/2" Width 4 1/4"
Weight 5.2 lb
Provenance: Dick Pautzke, Santa Barbara, CA
The Taino flourished in the Caribbean and were the first Americans to make contact with the Spanish in 1492. Descendants who migrated from South America and Meso America, they carried many of their traditions with them. This important massive celt is a beautiful example of the artistic capabilities of the Taino craftsmen. The figure depicted is a physical manifestation of a god, spirit or ancestor. Being polytheistic they worshiped a number of deities whom they believed controlled the elements, the sucess of crops and fertility. Ancestor worship was also important and the shamans claimed to be able to communicate with the dead. Rare.
Dominican Republic
1200 - 1500 AD
Height 10 1/2" Width 4 1/4"
Weight 5.2 lb
Provenance: Dick Pautzke, Santa Barbara, CA
The Taino flourished in the Caribbean and were the first Americans to make contact with the Spanish in 1492. Descendants who migrated from South America and Meso America, they carried many of their traditions with them. This important massive celt is a beautiful example of the artistic capabilities of the Taino craftsmen. The figure depicted is a physical manifestation of a god, spirit or ancestor. Being polytheistic they worshiped a number of deities whom they believed controlled the elements, the sucess of crops and fertility. Ancestor worship was also important and the shamans claimed to be able to communicate with the dead. Rare.
Dominican Republic
1200 - 1500 AD
Height 10 1/2" Width 4 1/4"
Weight 5.2 lb
Provenance: Dick Pautzke, Santa Barbara, CA
The Taino flourished in the Caribbean and were the first Americans to make contact with the Spanish in 1492. Descendants who migrated from South America and Meso America, they carried many of their traditions with them. This important massive celt is a beautiful example of the artistic capabilities of the Taino craftsmen. The figure depicted is a physical manifestation of a god, spirit or ancestor. Being polytheistic they worshiped a number of deities whom they believed controlled the elements, the sucess of crops and fertility. Ancestor worship was also important and the shamans claimed to be able to communicate with the dead. Rare.