Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. An intriguing hacha of bulky form depicting an abstract zoomorphic creature seated upon stocky legs with thick arms bent and hands clenched in front of the narrow chest. The creature holds its head upright - with bullseye-form eyes, upturned petaloid ears, and a conical beak - and displays a seemingly disembodied human visage atop its brow. The name "hacha" translates to "axe" which suggests it was a weapon, however the Maya used hachas like this for ceremonies or wearable accoutrements for the Mesoamerican ballgame. Size: 7.25" L x 3" W x 9.2" H (18.4 cm x 7.6 cm x 23.4 cm)

Hachas were associated with the ritual Mesoamerican ballgame, though they were not actually part of the players' equipment. Instead, these were work 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) while others have suggested that some hachas could have served as ballgame court markers.

Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection, acquired from Showplace Antique and Design Center, New York, New York, USA, October 6, 2019, Lot 153

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#170863

Loss to one side of human face as shown. Nicks and light pitting, with softening to some finer details, and light encrustations. Great preservation to most details.