Lot 5A
Pre-Columbian, Southern Mesoamerica, Maya civilization, ca. 250 to 900 CE. An intriguing carved pendant made from finely mottled serpentine, sculpted in the form of a stylized zoomorphic head - likely evoking a serpent, reptile, or feline. The form is compact and abstracted, its facial features defined by deep, flowing grooves that outline eyes, nostrils, and a closed, incised mouth. Two drilled suspension holes pierce the upper portion of the head, indicating it was once worn or hung, perhaps as a personal talisman or elite adornment. The stone itself displays an exquisite range of coloration, shifting from pale jade to rich forest green, with marbled patches of mossy green, celadon, and olive accented by beige inclusions and mineral veining. This variation gives the surface an organic, almost living quality, enhancing the expressive power of the carving. Size: 2.1" L x 1.5" W (5.3 cm x 3.8 cm)
Pendants such as this were often associated with elite or ceremonial use and may have held symbolic meaning linked to transformation, protection, or spiritual power. The ambiguous nature of the creature - part feline, part serpent, perhaps even part crocodilian - is consistent with Maya cosmology, which frequently fused attributes from powerful animals to create supernatural or shamanic figures.
Among the Maya, carved stone ornaments were more than decorative. Serpentine, a prized material associated with water, fertility, and spiritual power, was reserved for important ritual or high-status use. Zoomorphic pendants like this one were often interpreted as embodiments of protective spirits, deities, or animal companions in shamanic transformation.
The ambiguity of the form is intentional - Maya artists often merged features of multiple powerful animals to convey mythic potency. Serpents, felines, and reptiles each held significant symbolic weight, representing aspects of the underworld, divine rulership, or vision quests. Whether worn as a pendant or included in a burial offering, this piece would have carried rich spiritual resonance.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
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#194106
- Condition: Age-expected weathering to surface, but otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable with earthen encrustations in recessed areas.
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