PRE COLUMBIAN OLMEC CEREMONIAL STEM CUP ANCIENT WRITING Start Price USD 2,500.00 Current Price USD 2,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, July 15, 2008 End Time Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Location Tucson, AZ. See more about 'PRE COLUMBIAN OLMEC CEREMONIAL STEM CUP ANCIENT WRITING' Description Pre-Columbian Olmec Ceremonial Stem Cup The Olmec were an ancient Pre-Columbian people who lived in the central tropical low lands of south-central Mexico.  The Olmec flourished from about 1400 BC to 400 BC.  As the first civilization in Mesoamerica, the Olmec are credited with many "firsts", among them the first writing.  They may have been the first civilization in the Western Hemisphere to develop a writing system.  For many years, America's experts considered these symbols to be only 'clan',  signs, but it was the Chinese scholars who first started to read the symbols as writing.  It is now generally accepted, except by the most hardened of scholars, that this was indeed a true writing system.  Uncannily, these symbols so mimic the old Chinese writing, that some say they are from related descendants.  It is also interesting to note that only the Chinese could work jade in the same manner as the Olmec peoples worked their fabulous Jadeite figures and utensils.  Both cultures used jades in burial, and made jade masks to bury with their dead.  They also used core drills as the Chinese did, and bi-conical drill holes before other civilizations on this continent.  This Olmec ceremonial stem cup is made of a black-ware pottery, its design incised with iron oxide pigments, both similar to Chinese items of the same vintage.  The cup has mineralization and wear consistent with its age and centuries of burial.  It is 5-1/4" in diameter and 2-1/2" high.  It does have one rim chip (see picture #4),  but is in otherwise excellent in-situ condition.  This item came from the Estate of Thomas Walker, a long- time Tucson businessman and collector for over 50 years.  In addition to my own microscopic examination and assessment,  it has been authenticated by Mr. Fred Gumbart, owner/appraiser of Arizona Galleries (520-322-6388).  He specializes (by appointment only) in consultation and official, licensed, and accredited appraising of Fine Period Antiques, Fine Art, Ethnographic Art, Pre-Columbian Art and the Asian Arts.  Fred is a lifelong collector of artifacts, and has the most astounding memory of anyone I have personally known. This pottery cup has been also authenticated by Dr. Timothy Jones, PhD, retired from the University of Arizona.  Dr. Jones now runs his own appraisal business, and is certified RPA-IAA.   He has inspected this stem-cup as a personal favor to me, as we often collaborate on items.  He can be reached at 520-744-2766 for any questions about this exquisite bowl, or official appraisals in his fields of expertise.   You may view this item or any of our other antiquities, fine art or artifacts at our gallery, by appointment only. We are Antiquities, Plus... David Fredericks 2752 North Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719 Phone 520-991-2153 Refunds will be made only upon receipt by us (within 14 days of buyer's receipt of the item), of a written verification from a major University Department Head, or Major Museum Curator from a recognized institution in the appropriate field. Note: For International sales, buyer is responsible for all import duty taxes. Place a Bid!