PRE-COLUMBIAN NAYARIT MATED PAIR FIGURES MUSEUM QUALITY Start Price USD 1,250.00 Current Price USD 1,250.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, December 01, 2008 End Time Monday, December 08, 2008 Location Tucson, AZ. See more about 'PRE-COLUMBIAN NAYARIT MATED PAIR FIGURES MUSEUM QUALITY' Description A WONDERFUL AUCTION FOR AN AUTHENTIC PAIR OF NAYARIT FIGURES These beautiful and extremely rare figures of a man holding a Dorado (Mahi-Mahi) Fish, and his wife holding her pregnant stomach, came to us from the estate of a local collector who purchased them legally from the natural descendants of the Nayarit peoples. This extremely rare couple proves the Nayarit went to sea and traveled the coast, as the Dorado are only found at sea and do not come into the fresh water sources at all. This theory has been speculated on for some time, and these items prove the theory. The fin on the Dorado has been broken off and lost over the years, but is without a doubt Dorado-shaped. These beautiful, original pieces were made in the coastal mountains and valleys of the State of Nayarit in Mexico, their home between 100BC and 250AD. The man who purchased them was studying Shamanism from the Huichol and Cora peoples, in the early 70's, and bought his items directly from the people who owned them. He married a local lady from the area, and when these items are sold the monies go back to the native people. Nayarit figures are extremely rare because of the nature of the burials and the often-occurring hurricanes that hit the area and eroded the original sites. Almost all are found in pieces, and we have only minimally re-attached the items together (the same as the National Museum in Mexico City). These items were all very low-fired and are very fragile, and not easy to ship; so, please understand that some small damage may occur upon shipping, though we will go to great effort to pack them safely. Some of the items were glued together years ago and had separated. We have kept a minimalist approach to restoration of these objects, and they are very easy to fix, and should be left in as close to in-situ condition as possible, in our opinion. These are the types of items that will bring the higher future returns on investments, as they are in-situ; our figures are not re-fired, re-painted, or waxed, as were so many that were sold at the large auction houses. In our opinion, this extra processing harms their re-sale value; any re-firing will destroy their ability to be legitimately TL tested in the future.  The male figure is 10" high, 5" wide and 4-1/2" deep.  The female figure is 10-1/2" high, 5-3/4" wide and 5-1/4" deep. In addition to my own inspection, these figures have also been authenticated by Dr. Timothy Jones, PhD, Anthropologist, formerly with the University of Arizona.  Dr. Jones has accepted invitations to the world's largest museum in Beijing, and has received privately guided tours of the Beijing Museum, which included some of the most treasured vault items hidden away from the general public.  Dr. Jones has directed the excavations and analyses of more than 20 major sites and 40 archaeological surveys.  Dr. Jones now runs his own appraisal and authentication business, and is certified RPA-IAA.  Dr. Jones can be reached at 520-744-2766.  He helps in the verifications of all our later porcelains, as I do for him on the older items of Jades and pottery.  He has no vested interest in our business and we just truly enjoy each others company and knowledge.   This item has also been authenticated by Mr. Fred Gumbart, owner/appraiser of Arizona Galleries (520-322-6388). He specializes (by appointment only) in consultations 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.   Items may be viewed at our gallery prior to sale, by appointment only. Antiquities, Plus... David Fredericks 2752 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ. 85719 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. Also, please do not ask us to mark your purchase as a gift on the customs form.We do not sell off Ebay; please do not ask. Place a Bid!