Lot 91
Pre-Columbian, Central America, Mexico / Guatemala / Belize, Maya, Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A finely carved stone hacha depicting a snake head in profile with captivating features delineated on both sides: deeply set round eyes with pecked irises and pupils and ample eyelids, a snout with delineated nostrils, an open mouth with a long protruding tongue, below that a cross-hatched section representing snakeskin, and scales delineated upon the crest of the head. A perforation pierces the visage at the back end. The depiction of the snake head is particularly significant in relation to Kukulkan, the revered serpent deity of the Maya. Often associated with the sky, rain, and fertility, Kukulkan embodies the dual nature of snakes - both life-giving and dangerous. As a central figure in Maya mythology, Kukulkan was believed to be a powerful force, embodying the renewal and transformation symbolized by the snake's ability to shed its skin. Size: 8.25" L x 1.25" W x 9.5" H (21 cm x 3.2 cm x 24.1 cm); 12.25" H (31.1 cm) on included custom stand.
While likely intended for dual-sided viewing, this hacha may also represent two snake heads, suggesting a bicephalic serpent - a symbol of high rank in various Pre-Columbian cosmologies. These two-headed serpents were viewed as celestial "sky bands" arching over the earth or encircling the seas, serving as conduits for planets and stars in the heavens. Such motifs were often used on objects associated with elite individuals, thereby linking them to the serpent's powerful symbolism. The term "hacha" (from the Spanish word for "axe") reflects the early belief that these artifacts served as axe-heads. While most hachas depict human heads, they also portray animal forms such as jaguars, birds, bats, deer, and monkeys. Based on ceramic figurines and stone carvings, some scholars propose that hachas were attached to yugos (yokes) for ceremonial purposes. Others suggest that certain hachas might have been used as ball court markers. Although their precise function remains uncertain, hachas are frequently found alongside yugos in burial contexts, underscoring their ritual significance.
Provenance: private D. C. collection, California, USA; D. C. is an Emmy Award winning Hollywood writer and Executive Producer, collected before 2000
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#189447
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Condition:
- Old losses to crest of head. Minor chips to peripheries. Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Light earthen deposits on the surface. Overall excellent!
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