Taino Culture 10th to 15th Century AD Jadeite Figure - 11.2 cm

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Peter Reynaers
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Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 1,700 - € 2,000
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A Taino Jadeite Zemí (Idol) dating to the 10th–15th century AD, carved from jadeite with turquoise coloration, measuring 11.2 × 4.0 × 2.7 cm, in excellent condition, acquired in 2025 from a German private collection and accompanied by a CoA.

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Description from the seller

A Taino Jadeite Zemí (Idol), 10th to 15th Century A.D.

Delicate and finely carved jadeite stone zemí representing a stylized ancestral or protective spirit. The figure displays classic Taino aesthetic with a large head, deeply drilled circular eyes, prominent nose, and a compact body with subtle incised details. The stone shows an attractive turquoise-green to beige coloration with natural veining and a smooth polished surface.
Jadeite zemíes are among the rarest and most prestigious ritual objects of the Taino culture, highly valued for their symbolic power and the difficulty of working this extremely hard stone.

Height: 11.2 cm.
Width: 4.0 cm.
Depth: 2.7 cm.

Provenance:
German private collection, acquired in Germany in the 1980s.

All items come with CoA

A Taino Jadeite Zemí (Idol), 10th to 15th Century A.D.

Delicate and finely carved jadeite stone zemí representing a stylized ancestral or protective spirit. The figure displays classic Taino aesthetic with a large head, deeply drilled circular eyes, prominent nose, and a compact body with subtle incised details. The stone shows an attractive turquoise-green to beige coloration with natural veining and a smooth polished surface.
Jadeite zemíes are among the rarest and most prestigious ritual objects of the Taino culture, highly valued for their symbolic power and the difficulty of working this extremely hard stone.

Height: 11.2 cm.
Width: 4.0 cm.
Depth: 2.7 cm.

Provenance:
German private collection, acquired in Germany in the 1980s.

All items come with CoA

Details

Era
Before 1400
Stone type
Jadeite
Culture
Taino Culture 10th to 15th Century AD
Century/timeframe
10th to 15th Century AD
Acquired from
Private collection
Country of origin
Dominican Republic
Year acquired
2025
Material
Stone
Country acquired from
Germany
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Colour
Turquoise
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Condition
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
Height
11.2 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Width
4 cm
Depth
2.7 cm
The NetherlandsVerified
192
Objects sold
100%
Private

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