Pre-Columbian Maya Avian form plaque from Mexico - representing a macaw or other tropical parrot species, this important mosaic object was created from a thinned section of limestone which was further embellished with greenstone, turquoise and spondylus shell. Turquoise (which, in the Postclassic time, replaced the dwindling supply of jadeite in Mesoamerica), came from the southwestern region of the United States; the spondylus shell originated from the deep waters off the Pacific coast of western Mexico. The use of turquoise dates the piece to the early Postclassic period (CE 900-1200), a time in Mesoamerica when long distance trade had become widespread and created a vast network of goods flowing between disparate areas of North America. An interesting feature of this important object: the tail feather area visually resembles a human foot with five toes. Perhaps this alluded to the flourishing pochteca mercantile system of long distance foot trade which existed at this time? In the quest to obtain turquoise found in New Mexico, exotic tropical lowland goods such as cacao and feathers, and even live animals were introduced to the desert dwelling peoples of the region (it should be noted that captive parrots from the tropical lowlands were once housed at Paquime, the center of the Casas Grandes culture located in the Mexican State of Chihuahua). Conversely, exotic material from this frontier region, such as turquoise, would have made the ruling elite seem especially powerful to the population. An important and rare object with original inlaid material, and showing strong mineral and calcified rootlet activity across the surface. 8" in length. Authenticated by Stoetzer's Inc. of Miami, Fl.