Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A beautiful shell incised with the face of a king or deity in profile, highlighted with red pigment derived from cinnabar. He faces right with an elaborate headdress and earspools adorning his head. The shell itself was heavily worked before the motifs were etched - the apex of the spire was removed and the spiral whorls were polished to nubs, as was the surface where the figure was placed. The incised linework is remarkably fine, with tiny details withing the decorations on the headdress and the classically Maya visage. Size: 2" L x 1.375" W (5.1 cm x 3.5 cm); 3" H (7.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Shells were deeply symbolic to the Maya; shells came from the sea, which was the primordial space from which the world of humans originated and the watery underworld, Xibalba. They also seem to have been closely connected to ideas of wind, moisture, breath, and music when large conches were carved into trumpets - the musician's lifeforce breath was then transformed into a powerful sound. Shells often served as jewelry as well as offerings in burials and as dedications to buildings.

Provenance: ex-John B. Kendrick II collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired 1965 to 1990, son of John B. John B. Kendrick, former Wyoming Governor and US Senator in 1930s

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#172609

Intact and in excellent condition. Some fading and softening to incised lines to outer edges of headdress, but face is well preserved. Shell is highly polished.