Carved Slingshot, Monkey And Amphibians, Guatemala, Highlands, 1950s

Carved slingshot, monkey and amphibians, Guatemala, highlands. This carefully and skillfully carved slingshot depicts a monkey seated on a pillar with raised arms. Three amphibians in relief accompany the composition: one resting on the pillar behind, another positioned behind, and the third on its belly, its head facing the torso (see photos). Wood with an old patina; signs of use; traces of green pigment. Guatemala, highlands region. Dimensions: 14.5 × 3.6 cm. Sold with a base and certificate of authenticity from the expert Serge Reynes. * Shipping costs upon request. "In the highlands of Guatemala, the slingshot (honda) is an everyday object, used particularly to protect crops by scaring away birds. Some examples, like this one, are crafted with special care and become true works of art. The monkey, a familiar figure in the Mayan imagination, evokes liveliness, dexterity, and playfulness. The addition of amphibians, animals associated with wetlands and the return of the rains, reinforces the symbolic dimension of the object."