Maya Jade Plaque, Ruler Emerging from Jaguar Maw, Reversible
Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerica, Maya, ca. 500–800 CE. A blue-green jade plaque carved on both axes so that its subject changes with every turn of the wrist. Held upright, a profile dignitary in belted loincloth and disc earflare strides from the gaping mouth of a jaguar; inverted, the same relief resolves into a lordly head crowned by a tall feathered headdress; laid sideways, the great cat itself appears, a human head between its jaws. Beveled planes and deep string-cut grooves model the composition with economy, and paired biconical suspension holes show the plaque was worn, most likely as a chest or belt ornament proclaiming the rank of its owner. Size: 3" W x 1.75" H (7.6 cm W x 4.4 cm H).
Jade was the most precious substance in the Maya world, valued above gold for its association with maize, breath, water, and the green heart of the living world. The single Mesoamerican source, the Motagua River valley of Guatemala, supplied every workshop from Palenque to Copan, and the stone was worked without metal tools, shaped by abrasion with string, sand, and harder stone.
The jaguar was the nocturnal aspect of the sun and the emblem of dynastic power; a ruler emerging from its maw enacts the passage between worlds that legitimized kingship. Reversible carvings of this kind, in which one image conceals another, exploit the Maya delight in transformation, where identity is provisional and a lord may be simultaneously man, animal, and ancestor.
Provenance: Ex. Emily Mead collection, Santa Fe. Ex. Anthony Carnaggio, NYC.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
73060
Condition
Intact, Excellent condition.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerica, Maya, ca. 500–800 CE. A blue-green jade plaque carved on both axes so that its subject changes with every turn of the wrist. Held upright, a profile dignitary in belted loincloth and disc earflare strides from the gaping mouth of a jaguar; inverted, the same relief resolves into a lordly head crowned by a tall feathered headdress; laid sideways, the great cat itself appears, a human head between its jaws. Beveled planes and deep string-cut grooves model the composition with economy, and paired biconical suspension holes show the plaque was worn, most likely as a chest or belt ornament proclaiming the rank of its owner. Size: 3" W x 1.75" H (7.6 cm W x 4.4 cm H).
Jade was the most precious substance in the Maya world, valued above gold for its association with maize, breath, water, and the green heart of the living world. The single Mesoamerican source, the Motagua River valley of Guatemala, supplied every workshop from Palenque to Copan, and the stone was worked without metal tools, shaped by abrasion with string, sand, and harder stone.
The jaguar was the nocturnal aspect of the sun and the emblem of dynastic power; a ruler emerging from its maw enacts the passage between worlds that legitimized kingship. Reversible carvings of this kind, in which one image conceals another, exploit the Maya delight in transformation, where identity is provisional and a lord may be simultaneously man, animal, and ancestor.
Provenance: Ex. Emily Mead collection, Santa Fe. Ex. Anthony Carnaggio, NYC.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
73060
Condition
Intact, Excellent condition.
Buyer's Premium
30%
