PRE COLUMBIAN OLMEC RARE ROYAL STEM CUP ANCIENT WRITING Start Price USD 3,500.00 Current Price USD 3,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, November 22, 2008 End Time Monday, December 22, 2008 Location Tucson, AZ. See more about 'PRE COLUMBIAN OLMEC RARE ROYAL 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. Please Note: At the end of this listing this extremely rare item will be moved to antiquitiesplus.com  In addition to my own inspection, this oil lamp has 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 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. 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                                                                                                  antiquitiesplus.comRefunds 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!