**Originally Listed At $2000**

Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast Mexico, Veracruz (Vera Cruz) culture, ca. 550 to 950 CE. Hand-carved from volcanic rock palma in the form of a stylized double-headed zoomorphic entity. Their separate chins rest on an integral plinth, but their left and right cheek join together, and they become one conjoined head. The creature or human form that the heads represent is somewhat mysterious; they mirror each other with open mouths, bulbous noses, and small indented eyes. The ears both appear to have large ear plugs, and a singular horn crowns both their brows. A three ridged palma rises up at the back of the heads. Almost gargoyle-like with their leering faces, a fascinating palma once used during Mesoamerican ballgames. Size: 4" W x 7" H (10.2 cm x 17.8 cm)

The shape fanning the back of the heads gives this form its name - a palma from the frond shape of palm trees. The athletes from Mesoamerica played a ballgame while wearing a hip yoke with a palma shape fan to protect their chests from the impact of the hard rubber balls. These carved stone statues often have the palma shape incorporated into their design, and were perhaps court markers to determine borders or to keep score during the game.

Provenance: ex- Tim Misenhimer, Hollywood, California, USA Collection, acquired from Ron Messick Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection formed from 1970 through 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.

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#101890

Small chip on front left side and back left of base. Minor surface wear and softening of details. Old inventory written on back surface.