Lot 1A
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Olmec culture, ca. 900 to 400 BCE. A gorgeous greenstone effigy pendant - likely serpentine - masterfully carved with the iconic visage of a were-jaguar, an Olmec motif believed to represent shamanic transformation or divine ancestry with jaguar traits. The expressive face features narrow eyes, a furrowed brow, a pronounced downturned mouth, and sharp teeth, all string-cut in low relief. There are several small drilled indentations perhaps for adding inlays. Suspension holes are pierced at the upper periphery, suggesting it once hung as a powerful pectoral adornment. The verso of the pendant is smoothly ground, presenting a level surface framed by a slightly raised rim that lends the piece a tray-like form, reinforcing theories that it may have functioned not only as an ornament but also as a ritual tray or palette. Size: 5.5" L x 2.25" W (14 cm x 5.7 cm)
This object's function and symbolism remain enigmatic; scholars propose a variety of uses including ritualistic spoon, weaving tool, snuff tray for hallucinogens, bloodletting implement, or paint palette. Some note the form resembles the shell of a winged oyster (Pteria), a pearl-bearing mollusk native to Central American coastal waters, whose nacreous shells and pearls held funerary and ritual significance in Mesoamerican culture. Others liken the silhouette to a tadpole or bird form, implying symbolic or mythic associations with life, transformation, or water. Whether ceremonial tool or status object, such pendants were highly prized for their material, workmanship, and symbolic resonance, often shown worn by rulers or deities in Olmec sculpture. A mysterious and compelling artifact of ancient Mesoamerican cosmology.
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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#195604
- Condition: Old loss to lower edge. Abrasions and mineral encrustations to the face. Overall excellent.
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