Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mayan territories, ca. 500 to 950 CE. Finely carved and pecked on both sides from a beautiful piece of rich greenstone, a large ceremonial hacha depicting a human skull in profile, of an overall flat form to resemble a symbolic axe but at the same time providing strong details, as the sculptor delineated so much of the skeletal framework protecting the brain including the frontal bone, orbital plate with deeply pecked eye sockets, nasal bone, maxilla, mandible, with recessions for the teeth, even the occipital bone, and spiral motifs behind the orbital area. A stupendous example for anyone who appreciates human anatomy and/or the ancients' penchant for the macabre! Size: 6" W x 9.875" H (15.2 cm x 25.1 cm); 11.625" H (29.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Hachas were associated with the ritual Mesoamerican ball game, though they were not actually part of the player's equipment. Instead these were worn during ritualistic ceremonies related to the game. The name stems from the fact that they were believed to be axe-heads; hence the term hacha (Spanish for axe). Based on ceramic figures and imagery on stone carvings, some authors have proposed that hachas were meant to be attached to yugos (yokes). Others suggest that some of the hachas could have served as ball court markers.

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#140848

  • Condition: Minute nicks to high pointed areas and peripheries commensurate with age. Nice pecking marks throughout recessed aural, orbital, and mouth cavities.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

January 24, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000