Lot 101
Pre-Columbian, Guatemala, Peten, Mayan, ca. 500 to 800 CE. A finely carved, apple-green jade pendant depicting four heads, perhaps belonging to a lord in the center, the Hero Twins on either side, and their father above. First, a stylized frontal visage with arms bent at the elbows and hands placed just below the strap of his helmet. To the right is another visage (perhaps a Hero Twin) in profile, facing right, wearing a zoomorphic helmet (possibly representing a jaguar given its fang). To the left of the central face is another profiled figure (the second Hero Twin) wearing a helmet somewhat similar to that on the right. Finally, above the central face is a fourth profile visage (perhaps their father), this one looking upward symbolizing his deceased state. As was the custom, the Mayan artisan worked with the natural shape of the stone rather than lose any precious surface area, in order to create this fabulous multi-headed pendant. Laterally drilled for suspension. Size: 2.375" W x 2.125" H (6 cm x 5.4 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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#124353
- Condition: Intact and excellent.
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