Fine Large Mayan Stone Hacha - Human Head
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Description
Pre-Columbian, Mayan territories, ca. 500 to 950 CE. A magnificent example of a ceremonial hacha depicting a human head, possibly a skull, in profile, hand-carved from a single piece of stone of red-brown hues, replete with elegantly delineated details on both sides - its visage including a round eye or orbital, straight yet slightly upturned nose, and gently smiling lips beneath what appears to be a helmeted coiffure, the helmet apropos for a ballgame player, though the 'ballgame' was typically of a ritualistic nature. Custom stand. Size: 8.75" W x 11" H (22.2 cm x 27.9 cm); 13.75" H (34.9 cm) on included custom stand.
Hachas were associated with the ritual Mesoamerican ball game, though they were not actually part of the player's equipment. Instead these were worn 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 figurines and stone carvings, some authors have proposed that they were meant to be attached to yugos (yokes). Others suggest that some of the hachas could have served as ball court markers. While their actual use is still unclear to scholars, they are often associated with yugos in burials.
Provenance: private D. C. collection, California, USA. D. C. is an Emmy Award winning Hollywood writer and Executive Producer, collected before 2000
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.
#126433
Hachas were associated with the ritual Mesoamerican ball game, though they were not actually part of the player's equipment. Instead these were worn 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 figurines and stone carvings, some authors have proposed that they were meant to be attached to yugos (yokes). Others suggest that some of the hachas could have served as ball court markers. While their actual use is still unclear to scholars, they are often associated with yugos in burials.
Provenance: private D. C. collection, California, USA. D. C. is an Emmy Award winning Hollywood writer and Executive Producer, collected before 2000
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.
#126433
Condition
Old loss to forehead on one side. Otherwise normal surface wear commensurate with age and earthen deposits.
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
Fine Large Mayan Stone Hacha - Human Head
Estimate $3,000 - $4,500
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Item located in Louisville, CO, usSee Policy for Shipping
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