Taino Culture 10th to 15th Century AD Diorite Figure - 10 cm

Taino Culture 10th to 15th Century AD Diorite Figure - 10 cm #1.0
Taino Culture 10th to 15th Century AD Diorite Figure - 10 cm #1.0
Taino Culture 10th to 15th Century AD Diorite Figure - 10 cm #2.1
Taino Culture 10th to 15th Century AD Diorite Figure - 10 cm #3.2
Taino Culture 10th to 15th Century AD Diorite Figure - 10 cm #4.3
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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  € 2,300 - € 2,800
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Pre-Columbian Taino Zemí stone idol carved in black diorite from the Dominican Republic, dating to the 10th–15th century AD, in excellent condition with dimensions 10.0 × 4.2 × 4.0 cm, provenance from a German private collection (acquired in the 1980s) via Casa de Subastas, accompanied by a CoA.

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Description from the seller

A Taino Stone Zemí (Idol) in Diorite, Dominican Relublic, 10th to 15th Century A.D.

Finely carved black diorite stone figure in classic Taino style, representing a powerful zemí (ancestral or protective spirit). The piece features a stylized head with prominent facial elements, a conical or elongated form, and carefully incised symbolic details on the body. The hard, dense diorite has a smooth, dark polished surface with subtle natural patina and mineral deposits, highlighting the excellent craftsmanship.
Zemíes carved in hard stone such as diorite are among the most important and rare Taino ritual objects, used for veneration, protection, and shamanic ceremonies in the Greater Antilles.

Height: 10.0 cm.
Width: 4.2 cm.
Depth: 4.0 cm.

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

All items come with CoA

Translated Show original

A Taino Stone Zemí (Idol) in Diorite, Dominican Relublic, 10th to 15th Century A.D.

Finely carved black diorite stone figure in classic Taino style, representing a powerful zemí (ancestral or protective spirit). The piece features a stylized head with prominent facial elements, a conical or elongated form, and carefully incised symbolic details on the body. The hard, dense diorite has a smooth, dark polished surface with subtle natural patina and mineral deposits, highlighting the excellent craftsmanship.
Zemíes carved in hard stone such as diorite are among the most important and rare Taino ritual objects, used for veneration, protection, and shamanic ceremonies in the Greater Antilles.

Height: 10.0 cm.
Width: 4.2 cm.
Depth: 4.0 cm.

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

All items come with CoA

Translated Show original

Details

Era
Before 1400
Stone type
Diorite
Culture
Taino Culture 10th to 15th Century AD
Century/timeframe
10th to 15th Century AD
Acquired from
Auction house
Country of origin
Dominican Republic
Year acquired
2025
Material
Stone
Country acquired from
Germany
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Colour
Black
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Condition
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
Height
10 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Width
4.2 cm
Depth
4 cm
The NetherlandsVerified
192
Objects sold
100%
55
Reviews
Private

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