Lot 218A
Pre-Columbian, Pacific Slope of Guatemala, Maya Classic Period, ca. 500 CE. A finely carved jade pendant, the stone of vivid apple green hues, featuring relief carving depicting three visages, the central one belonging to an elite lord with facial features comprised of stylized geometric motifs, richly ornamented with an elaborate headdress and earspools. Flanking this face are two additional figures, perhaps the Hero Twins, carved in profile. As was the custom, the Mayan artisan worked with the natural shape of the stone rather than lose any precious surface area. The stone was drilled horizontally behind the three visages for suspension of this lovely pendant. Custom, museum-quality stand. A gorgeous example! Size: 2.25" W x 1.75" H (5.7 cm x 4.4 cm)
The Maya Hero Twins (Hunahpu and Xbalanque in the K'iche language) are the primary figures of the Popol Vuh and are usually represented as complementary forces such as sky and earth, life and death, sun and moon, day and night, male and female; this quality of duality came to be omnipresent throughout the Pre-Columbian world. Though many versions of the Hero Twins myth exist, the only surviving written narrative, that of the Popol Vuh, is as follows. The Hero Twins Xbalanque and Hunahpu were ballplayers like their father and uncle, Hun Hunahpu and Vucub Hunahpu, who were summoned to Xibalba by the Lords of the Underworld only to be defeated and sacrificed. However, these two sons were conceived from the 'seed' of their deceased father (their pregnant mother fled from Xibalba). The Twins grew up and were determined to avenge their father. Following many trials, they finally defeated the lords of the Underworld in the legendary ballgame.
Provenance: private R.D. collection, Long Beach, California, USA collection, acquired over 25 years from various major galleries.
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#124369
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| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |