Pre-Columbian, Post Classic Maya, Mixtec, modern day Mexico, ca. 1200 to 1500 CE. This is a blue-green carved hardstone ceremonial piercer depicting a snake wrapped around a tapered pole. It has a drilled openwork fanged mouth, drilled round eyes, and incised crosshatched details on top of his head. The act of offering human blood was the central ritual in Maya (and other Mesoamerican) society. Priests and politicians would pierce various soft tissues in public ceremonies, while many people would stop to pierce themselves and smear statues with blood as they walked past in their everyday lives. The snake, too, is a powerful symbol from Maya iconography; carved snakes were often placed as architectural features at doorways and are believed to deal with rebirth. This is a fascinating and beautiful piece recalling some of the important parts of Maya society. Comes with custom stand. Size: 1" W x 3.9" H (2.5 cm x 9.9 cm).

Provenance: Collection of Hilda Tijou, California, acquired 1960s and prior, by descent to her granddaughter.

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#112055

Very slight earthen encrustration, otherwise in beautiful condition.