Native American Charmstone Head, Northern California

Native American, Northwestern California. A carved stone effigy head, worked from a rounded cobble into an abstracted anthropomorphic form, with a ridged brow, raised nose, and incised mouth. A single drilled perforation pierces one side. The surface shows a weathered, pitted patina consistent with age. Carved stone heads of this type are known from several Native Californian traditions, where small stone effigies served ceremonial or ritual functions; some examples are associated with "charmstones," though precise function is rarely documented for individual pieces absent excavation context. Item # 203959

Estimate:$500

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