A Colima Spondylus Shell Crocodile Amulet<br><em>Early Classic Period, ca. 200 BCE - 200 CE</em>

Carved within the natural curvature of the shell, the crocodile crouches on bent limbs, its head in profile with an elongated spout, a turquoise inlay is utilized for the eye, and another placed at the edge of the mouth, that contrasts beautifully with the orange-yellow shade of the shell.  Crocodiles were associated with fertility, rebirth, and the renewal of seasonal and calendrical cycles.  Dimensions: Length: 2 7/8 inches (7.3 cm) Condition: Loss to the back portion of the amulet. Custom mounted. Provenance:   Joel Malter private collection, assembled in the 1980s, thereafter a private Canadian collection, acquired from the trade in 2009.