"Bay Leaf" Obsidian Knife, Mexico 19th century Height: 24 cm Obsidian. Carved with remarkable skill from high-quality obsidian, this laurel leaf-shaped knife exemplifies the excellence of ancient Mexico’s stone-carving traditions. The finesse of its bifacial finishing and the perfect symmetry of its silhouette attest to exceptional technical skill, making this type of object one of the most accomplished achievements in obsidian carving in Mesoamerica. Provenance: American gallery.