**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Mexico, late Maya or Vera Cruz / Aztec, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A fantastical hand-carved greenstone deity head with coiling, volute shaped lips and ears, most likely depicting Tlaloc, the Rain God. Tlaloc (Chaac to the Maya) is the Mesoamerican rain deity, who with his axe made of lightning, strikes the clouds, and produces thunder and rain; his worship was widespread and well established by the time of the Aztecs, and became one of their chief deities. In Aztec iconography, he is depicted with concentric circles around his eyes and large fangs – as seen here. He is also frequently represented in artwork throughout the region and seems to have been one of the oldest and most widespread of the Mesoamerican gods. Tlaloc is associated with fertility - the green stone here symbolizing the lush vegetation from rainfall he made possible. Size: 3" L x 2" W x 3.5" H (7.6 cm x 5.1 cm x 8.9 cm)

The suspension ring is interesting, and perhaps this swerved as a large pendant or a ritualistic hacha (a carving associated with the ritual Mesoamerican ballgame).

Provenance: Private Marietta, Georgia, USA collection; ex-Jan Holschuh Lord inheritance; ex-Edward Holschuh collection, 1950s

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#178316

Old abrasions and chips throughout as shown. Light mineral encrustations. No repairs or restoration.