Olmec Jade Bust - PF.5811, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 3.625" (9.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade. The facial  More »

Olmec Jade Bust - PF.5811, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 3.625" (9.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade. The facial features of this figure, specifically his thin, slanted eyes and mouth, are characteristic of Olmec art. Considered the mother culture of Mesoamerica, the Olmecs are one of the oldest and richest civilizations ever to inhabit the Americas. Today, they are remembered foremost for their colossal heads of rulers or gods. Their artistic influences and religious traditions were absorbed and adapted by the many diverse cultures that followed them. This bust depicts such a colossal head type in miniature, now connected to the upper portion of a body. This figure is most likely the representation of a great king or high priest or perhaps was a container for the spirit of a deceased ancestor who was continually revered and honored. As great civilizations rise and fall, they leave behind traces of their power. The most sacred ritualistic objects continue to exert a force beyond time and the hands that once held them sacred. A mysterious energy still radiates from the core of this jade carving.   « Less

Olmec Greenstone Celt - PF.6195, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high x 1.875" (4.8cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec,  More »

Olmec Greenstone Celt - PF.6195, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 300 BC, Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high x 1.875" (4.8cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Greenstone. Considered the mother culture of Mesoamerica, the Olmecs are one of the oldest and richest civilizations ever to inhabit the Americas. Today, they are remembered foremost for their colossal heads of rulers or gods. Their artistic influences and religious traditions were absorbed and adapted by the many diverse cultures that followed them, from the Mayas to the Aztecs. Although highly stylized, almost to the point of abstraction, the human face carved on this celt, a type of prehistoric tool shaped like an ax head, has taken the form of the “were-jaguar.” This name describes a mythical half-man/half-jaguar hybrid creature that characteristically features the puffy, fat cheeks and jowls of a human baby with the slanted eyes and down-turned mouth of a jaguar. The “were-jaguar” is thought by schools to depict a shaman in the midst of transmogrification. Thus, it is likely that this celt, rendered in a green stone that might be jade, one of the most valued material in Ancient Mesoameric, might have once been possessed by a shaman. As great civilizations rise and fall, they leave behind traces of their existence. Ritualistic objects, venerated in their own time, continue to exert an eternal force long after they have left the hands that once held them sacred. A mysterious energy still radiates from the core of this celt, a testament to the artistry and culture of the ancient Olmec civilization.   « Less

Olmec Greenstone Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.3619, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 1.875" (4.8cm) wide, Collection:  More »

Olmec Greenstone Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.3619, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 1.875" (4.8cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Greenstone.   « Less

Olmec Jade Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.4586, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide. Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Olmec Jade Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.4586, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide. Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmec Jade Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.5833, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 600 BC, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high x 3.125" (7.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmec Jade Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.5833, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 600 BC, Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high x 3.125" (7.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmec Jade Sculpture of a Seated Figure - X.0566, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmec Jade Sculpture of a Seated Figure - X.0566, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmec Jade Celt Depicting a Were-Jaguar - SP.162, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 7.50" (19.1cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Olmec Jade Celt Depicting a Were-Jaguar - SP.162, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 7.50" (19.1cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade. The jaguar is one of the most potent symbols in Mesoamerican mythology. Often associated with the ruling power of the king, the jaguar was the most sacred beast in the animal pantheon. The veneration of this creature permeates the art of the Olmec. Considered to be the mother culture of Mesoamerican civilizations, the Olmec ruled a vast empire covering much of southern Mexico from around 1300-400 B.C. Today, they are famed for their colossal heads, giant sculptures that first alerted scholars to their existence in the latter half of the 19th Century. The figure depicted on this celt, a type of prehistoric tool shaped like an ax head, has taken the form of the “were-jaguar.” This is the name used to describe this type of figure (a mythical half man/half jaguar) exhibiting the puffy, fat cheeks and jowls of a human baby with the slanted eyes and curved mouth of the feline. We believe these works to represent a shaman in the midst of transformation. These great spiritual leaders were supposed to be able to transform and assume the powers of wild animals. Perhaps the celt would assist the shaman in his transformation. Overall, this celt attests to the artistic sophistication of the Olmec artists as well as to the cultures religious and spiritual beliefs.   « Less

Olmec Jade Sculpture Depicting a Hunchback - SP.168, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 2.50" (6.4cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium:  More »

Olmec Jade Sculpture Depicting a Hunchback - SP.168, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 2.50" (6.4cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmec Jade Amulet in the Form of a Hand - SP.170, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade.

Olmec Jade Amulet in the Form of a Hand - SP.170, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Jade.   « Less

Olmecoid Jade Pendant - SP.173, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian Art, Style: Olmec, Medium: jade, Condition:  More »

Olmecoid Jade Pendant - SP.173, Origin: Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian Art, Style: Olmec, Medium: jade, Condition: Very Fine.   « Less