Description:

Mexico, Veracruz, ca. 550-950 CE. This palma assumes an avian form in exquisite detail. The palma, named for its palm frond shape, is a piece of protective gear that was worn during the Mesoamerican ballgame. The rubber ballgame was regarded as a holy sport of religious significance. Playing this game was considered an act of worship to celebrate the sun's movement, and by extension the eternal cycle of life and death. According to scholar Ted Leyenaar, "The ball, symbolizing the sun, was kept moving by supernatural, divine powers, and human strength. The stadium where the game was played, symbolized the world." (p. 218 "Art Treasures from Ancient Mexico: Journey to the Land of the Gods" (2002) This bird effigy palma amplifies this symbolism as an animal of the sky believed to be a messenger between man and his deities. In addition to this rich iconography, the artist's impeccable technique brings the stone to life. At once this former block of stone exudes the varying textures of the bird's soft plumes, smooth beak, glassy eyes and persuades us that it is about to take flight. Custom, museum-quality stand. 13"H x 6 1/2"W. Provenance: Ex-Splendors of the World Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. -- From the collection of Jules Berman who put his well-known Kahlua collection together in the 1950s.All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids, papered by our parent company, Artemis Gallery Ancient Art. The starting price is the lowest price at which the lot can sell.

  • Condition: Near Choice!

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October 11, 2013 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$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
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000