Lot 184
**First Time At Auction**
Pre-Columbian, Mayan territories, ca. 550 to 900 CE. Grand for both its scale and beauty, an earspool, carved from a rich greenstone of deep, verdant hues with creamy beige inclusions, presenting a near-perfect form. Perhaps the most interesting and dramatic form of Mayan body adornmentation has been the donning of ear spool/flares. Although scholars believe that most, if not all, adults wore ear spools, the number of ancient examples that have survived is surprisingly small. A rare archaeological find! Custom stand. Size: 2.25" in diameter (1.6 cm x 5.7 cm)
Perhaps the most interesting and dramatic form of body adornmentation for the Maya has been the piercing of the ears in order to don ear spools or flares. Although scholars believe that most if not all adults wore ear spools, the number of ancient examples that have survived is surprisingly small. These are rare archaeological finds! The design of the Maya ear flare was originally inspired by the nocturnal flower of the Ceiba tree, believed by the Maya to be the tree of life! The workmanship involved in crafting ear spools was painstaking, and examples such as this one were created by specialists hired by the rulers and elite. The first step involved shaping the raw material with a solid edge saw and abrasive material or using a tubular saw to cut cores from large pieces of green stone. Once this was done, the stone could be shaped and polished with finer materials. Given the hardness of such stones, just imagine what expertise and patience were required of these artisans!
Provenance: Ex-Private Smith collection, Atlanta, GA
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#119949
- Condition: One perforation for suspension, here used to attach to stand. Near choice with minor surface wear and encrustation.
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