A Costa Rican Green Serpentine Bola Ball, ca. 500 - 1000 CE

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A carved and polished deep blue-green serpentine bola ball with a drilled triple hole suspension system on the top. Bolas are traditional hunting tools in the Americas, most famous ly used by South American gauchos, but have been used since pre-Columbian times. Hunters threw them at the legs of their prey in a movement similsr to lassos in order to trip them up or injure them. The Inca and the Mapuche also used them in battle. The deep green stone of this example indicates it comes from ancient Costa Rica. Medium: Green serpentine Dimensions: Height: 1 1/2 inches (3.81 cm), Diameter: 1 5/8 inches (4.12 cm) Condition: The ball is intact and in very good condition overall. Provenance: Scheifele Family private collection, CT, acquired between 1962 - 1965, collection #192/47. Show more