Mayan Stone Hacha - PF.4758,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD,Dimensions: 11.25" (28.6cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone. The Maya  More »

Mayan Stone Hacha - PF.4758,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD,Dimensions: 11.25" (28.6cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone. The Maya were masters of pageantry, ceremony and ritual spectacles. It seems a paradox that beauty and elegance could be combined with blood and violence. Though the inherent reasons behind such a contradiction strikes deeply into the Maya consciousness. And so does the famous ballgame, played by opposing teams in deadly earnest with a lethally hard rubber ball in courts that still stand today as witnesses of a spectacular event. The Maya ballgame was a spectator sport as well as a symbolic act. Gambling was vigorous and the losers were expected to pay in valuable cloth. This very handsome hacha shows a small head of a male wearing a lovely avian headdress. The bird is probably an eagle or parrot, graphically depicted with its graceful beak curving over the man's face. This hacha may have been worn as protection, to score points against, or merely as part of ceremonial accouterments. In any case, it captures the glory and magnificent splendor of the lost Maya world.   « Less

Mayan Stone Pipe - PF.4763,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD,Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.

Mayan Stone Pipe - PF.4763,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 1000 AD,Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mayan Aventurine Mask Pendant - PF.5377,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 600 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 1" (2.5cm) high x 1" (2.5cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium:  More »

Mayan Aventurine Mask Pendant - PF.5377,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 600 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 1" (2.5cm) high x 1" (2.5cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Aventurine.   « Less

Mayan Carved Mace Head - PF.6233a,Origin: El Salvador,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) high x 4.5" (11.4cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium:  More »

Mayan Carved Mace Head - PF.6233a,Origin: El Salvador,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) high x 4.5" (11.4cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Volcanic Stone. Holding this piece in our hands, we begin to understand why the term “head-breaker” is used as a nickname for these objects. Clearly it would not be an enjoyable experience to receive a blow from this heavy, carved hunk of volcanic stone. Originally attached to a wooden shaft, this device would have been a most deadly weapon. However, considering the great beauty of this work, it was more likely used as a centerpiece in religious ceremonies or sacrificial rituals. Today, we are moved by this piece not out of fear for the damage it is capable of causing, but out of awe for its stunning beauty and expert craftsmanship. As connoisseurs might relish the beauty of an antique gun, one can easily appreciate the quality and artistry this mace head represents. The donut-shape of the head has been decorated with a band of incised glyphs, including a series of faces, perhaps representations of gods, kings, or great warriors. The intricate, detailed carving of the glyphs and faces is simply stunning. This weapon may have been made for wagging war, but it is moreover a work of art.   « Less

Mayan Terracotta Roundel - X.0654,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Terracotta.

Mayan Terracotta Roundel - X.0654,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Mayan Figure Fragment - SP.426,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 200 AD to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian Art,Medium: Terracotta.

Mayan Figure Fragment - SP.426,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 200 AD to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian Art,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Mayan Stone Palma - SP.453,Origin: Mexico/Guatemala,Circa: 300 BC to 900 BC,Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone. Although little  More »

Mayan Stone Palma - SP.453,Origin: Mexico/Guatemala,Circa: 300 BC to 900 BC,Dimensions: 9" (22.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone. Although little is known about the actual rules of the Mesoamerican ballgame, archaeological discoveries attest to the widespread popularity of this phenomenon. Courts have been excavated from northern South America to the southwestern United State, and on Caribbean Islands. While the earliest ruins date from over three thousand years ago, a derivation of this ancient game is still played today in parts of northwestern Mexico. Although the game was played as a sport, it also had tremendous religious and ceremonial significance. In the “Popol Vul,” the creation myth of the Quiche Maya of highland Guatemala, the protagonists (the Hero Twins) are ball players who compete against the Gods of the Underworld. Scholars believe that certain ceremonial games might have reenacted this mythological competition where the losers would be sacrificed to the gods. While little specifics are known regarding game play, much more is known about the extensive uniform and regalia thanks to painted and sculpted references as well as the actual artifacts themselves. This gorgeous stone palma is just one such artifact that played an essential role in the ancient game. Palmas were believed to serve as court markers, perhaps delineating borders or scoring ranges. It is also thought that they might have been awarded as prizes to victorious combatants. Clearly, this spectacular work would have been a most formidable prize.   « Less

Mayan Stone Hacha - SP.462,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 10" (25.4cm) high x 6.75" (17.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.

Mayan Stone Hacha - SP.462,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 10" (25.4cm) high x 6.75" (17.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mayan Stone Hacha - SP.463,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 11.5" (29.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.

Mayan Stone Hacha - SP.463,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 11.5" (29.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mayan Terracotta Head - SP.468,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide,Collection: Mayan Art,Style: Mayan,Medium:  More »

Mayan Terracotta Head - SP.468,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide,Collection: Mayan Art,Style: Mayan,Medium: Terracotta,Condition: Fine.   « Less