Lot 57A
Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 1200 to 500 BCE. Carved from an impressively thin piece of translucent blue-green jadeite, its overall form akin to that of a feather plume, only carved and incised with avian and anthropomorphic features, including a round openwork eye, high crest feathers, and a low profile beak - as well as hands and feet. A very interesting form that captures this mysterious entity of the Olmecs. Size: 4.875" H (12.4 cm); 5.5" H (14 cm) on included custom stand.
The birdman was a figure depicted in the visual culture of the Olmecs as well as later Mesoamerican cultures. Note a birdman adorns a stele from San Miguel Amuco in Guerrero. We also know of "birdman" drinking festivals among the later Maya. According to scholar Daniel Seinfeld, birdman costumes were worn during rituals involving the partaking of libations. He writes, "The wearing of masks depicting animals and supernaturals was a common feature of Mesoamerican iconography dating back to the time of the Formative period Gulf Coast Olmec (Clark, 2004). These "birdmen" drinking festivals depicted in vase paintings involved both intoxication and costumes, which are traditionally used in Mesoamerican rituals. (Eber 1995; Clark 2004; McGee 1988, 1989, 2002; Mitchell 2004)." (Daniel M. Seinfeld, "Molecular Archaeological Investigations of Olmec Feasting in Ceramics from San Andres, Tabasco, Mexico" Florida State University, 2007, p. 25.)
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-J. Leff Collection - a famous collector from Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Pieces from his collection have been exhibited at the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Frick Art Museum.
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#132623
- Condition: Minor wear to peripheries, otherwise excellent. Gorgeous translucency!
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