Featured It's one of them. Carved thing, pottery.

I buy the oddest things. Any idea what this is? I can't decide if its pre Columbian or just common mediaeval as we get here,

Triangular profile, flat back.

 

I vote Pre-Columbian,but then I've never handled an authentic Medieval piece in my life.

 

That rectangular 'mortise' in the back gives me pause...but it sure isn't new. I like it!
Some dimensions, weight, an' then what material does it appear to be made (carved, sculpted) from?
Does any of the red soil come off easily?

 

Celtic medieval? It's not like any pre-Columbian piece I've ever seen, not that I've seen much.

 

Could be Oceanic ?

 

I was also thinking that as a possibility. It’s a very cool object.

 

Looks like both faces have moustaches and beards, so I think European is most likely.

 

Celt,Scythian ?

 

Stone carvings of the Scythian period are a different style and usually worn smooth.

I think it is best to look closer to its current home first. So any of the usual British suspects, of all periods up til say, 1800. Old time folk crafts can look ancient.
If it isn't one of them, look at their trade contacts.

 

Totally forgot to answer the very reasonable questions! It’s some kind of carved relatively hard and reasonably light stone. Maybe Portland stone. The colour doesn’t come off, but it’s whitish or very light grey under whatever has been used to colour it. Which could just be old soot or weathering. Just under four inches long, one and a half wide and an inch high.

They are indeed bearded faces. It doesn’t look as though it was part of something and the indent in the back might have been to hang it or for something to slot in.

It feels old. I can’t quite explain why, but I’ve handled mediaeval and earlier objects and this has that sense to it. I’ve got a mediaeval brick as a garden ornament, for example.

I really like it, there’s a feel about it.

 

Love it. No clue what it is but know enough to think it’s not MesoAmerican. Agree with thoughts that it’s from near(er) your part of the world. Please post what you find out. I’m intrigued!

Did I miss size and weight?

 

I might run it past the Portable Antiquities people, I think.

 

Good idea.

 

Are such folk part of Antiquers, Bear...or to be found elsewhere?

 

It’s these folks, part of the British museum.

https://finds.org.uk/

 

Thanks, Bear!

 

Most welcome. If I do get anything from them, I’ll post it.

 

God I love the UK,free Healthcare & the Portable Antiquities Corp.Here's a shot I got of the fleet taking off from Heathrow HQ-they're flying off to do Housecalls.
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