A Veracruz Stone Yoke Length: 38.1cm. (15in.) Of typical U shape, and smooth polished greenish stone Circa 450-640 A.D. Provenance: Sale: Sotheby's, New York, 24th November 1997 Known as ollamaliztli in Nahuatl, the ballgame ritual was, essentially, a quasi-religious re-enactment of combatting cosmic forces by heroic team opponents. Specific rules varied by geographic location but the game, in general, consisted of small teams of players hitting a dense rubber ball onto stone markers placed on the sides of the masonry ballcourts. They used their hips and elbows to prevent the ball from touching the ground. The stone yokes are the trophy versions of the thick protective padding originally made of leather, skin or wood (the misnomer given due to the similar shape of yokes worn around the necks of oxen). All lots in this sale have been imported from outside the EU and are under Temporary Admission, therefore the buyer must pay the import VAT at the rate of 5% on the Hammer Price. If your intention is to re-export a lot outside the EU, you must notify us upon receipt of your invoice to allow us to prepare the necessary paperwork for your shippers.