**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Mexico and northern Central America, Maya Territories, Late Classic, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A stunning mottled greenstone mask, made to be worn over the face of a king in his grave. Ear ornaments - made from greenstone spools, each with two greenstone beads - one cylindrical, one spherical - through their centers - adorn the mask. Presenting traditional Maya characteristics, the facial features are strong, with a pronounced nose, a heavy brow, generously lidded eyes, and fleshy lips that part to display a row of incised teeth. The stone itself is mottled grey-green with black and red-brown inclusions. Maya royal tombs often contain these masks; these tombs are frequently found buried underneath temples, and the Maya belief in the divine nature of kings meant that their remains sanctified the foundations. Size with earspools: 8" W x 6.8" H (20.3 cm x 17.3 cm); 9.9" H (25.1 cm) on included custom stand; without earspools: 6" W (15.2 cm)

By recreating the face of the ruler in greenstone - seen as the same as jade to the Maya, who did not use our technical definitions of geology - the Maya believed they could grant eternal life.

The value of greenstone for ancient Mesoamericans lay in its symbolic power: its color was associated with water and vegetation, and the renewal of the agricultural cycle. It was also believed to be the embodiment of the wind and the "breath" that formed the Maya soul. Ear spools like the ones that adorn this mask are often shown in profile in Mayan art, usually with a bead or serpent emerging from that central hollow plug; this is interpreted to be a symbolic supernatural passageway through which the breath of the soul could travel.

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.

Provenance: private Cadwell, Idaho, USA collection; ex-private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Colin Arundel collection, California, USA collected by inheritance 1960-1995; ex-Ian Arundel Collection, Old Curiosity Cabinet, Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles collected between 1950-60's

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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#177600

Earspools are separate from the mask. One spool has been professionally repaired with break lines visible and small area of verso has professional restoration. Some minor chips, nicks, and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, in overall very nice condition with clear form and detail.