Maya Volcanic Stone Hacha or Tenon Head, Monkey or Human Form
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Maya culture, ca. 500–800 CE. A carved volcanic stone hacha or tenon in the form of a human or monkey head, mounted on a wooden base. A pointed crest runs down the center of the cranium and ends between the drilled eyes, and the head is carved with C-shaped ears and an angular, ridged mouth above a tall columnar neck. Traces of red pigment remain in the eyes and mouth. Monkeys appear frequently in Maya art, where howler monkey deities were associated with writing and the arts. Size: 9.5" H x 4.5" L x 3.5" W (24.1 cm H x 11.4 cm L x 8.9 cm W); Size on included custom stand: 10.75" H (27.3 cm H).
Hachas are thin, axe-shaped stone sculptures linked with the Mesoamerican ballgame, often carved as human, animal, or skull heads. Many have a notch or tang on the back, which suggests they were set into a support or worn as part of a player's gear. Tenons are a different form: carved heads with long, roughly finished shafts that were set into masonry walls, a feature well known from Maya architectural sculpture. The deep, plain neck on this head fits either use.
If the subject is a monkey, it belongs to a well-documented strand of Maya imagery. In Classic period art, howler monkey gods appear as scribes and artisans, and the Popol Vuh tells of the brothers Hun Batz and Hun Chuen, skilled in writing, music, and carving, who were turned into monkeys.
Provenance: private Charlotte, North Carolina, USA collection, acquired in February 20, 2007 from Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA, Auction 40, lot 253; ex-private New York, New York, USA collection
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 #205615
Condition
Chips and abrasions to high pointed areas, but otherwise intact. Comes with removable wood base. Remains of red pigment on eyes and mouth.
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Maya culture, ca. 500–800 CE. A carved volcanic stone hacha or tenon in the form of a human or monkey head, mounted on a wooden base. A pointed crest runs down the center of the cranium and ends between the drilled eyes, and the head is carved with C-shaped ears and an angular, ridged mouth above a tall columnar neck. Traces of red pigment remain in the eyes and mouth. Monkeys appear frequently in Maya art, where howler monkey deities were associated with writing and the arts. Size: 9.5" H x 4.5" L x 3.5" W (24.1 cm H x 11.4 cm L x 8.9 cm W); Size on included custom stand: 10.75" H (27.3 cm H).
Hachas are thin, axe-shaped stone sculptures linked with the Mesoamerican ballgame, often carved as human, animal, or skull heads. Many have a notch or tang on the back, which suggests they were set into a support or worn as part of a player's gear. Tenons are a different form: carved heads with long, roughly finished shafts that were set into masonry walls, a feature well known from Maya architectural sculpture. The deep, plain neck on this head fits either use.
If the subject is a monkey, it belongs to a well-documented strand of Maya imagery. In Classic period art, howler monkey gods appear as scribes and artisans, and the Popol Vuh tells of the brothers Hun Batz and Hun Chuen, skilled in writing, music, and carving, who were turned into monkeys.
Provenance: private Charlotte, North Carolina, USA collection, acquired in February 20, 2007 from Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA, Auction 40, lot 253; ex-private New York, New York, USA collection
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 #205615
Condition
Chips and abrasions to high pointed areas, but otherwise intact. Comes with removable wood base. Remains of red pigment on eyes and mouth.
