OLMEC DYE ROLLER 1500-400 BC

Cylindrical terra cotta, 3 1/8” length with raised zig zag lines forming chevrons. Reportedly used as rollers for printing on cloth and even body adornment, the depth of the relief and slight draft of the projections suggest that these were used to pattern terra cotta, probably for adornment of buildings. This example is worn/degraded for about 1/3 of its circumference. The rest excellent for the period and so, displays as undamaged one side. The Olmec are among the earliest pre-Columbian cultures and Olmec artifacts are among the most sought after.