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Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Veracruz, ca. 550 to 950 CE. Hand-carved from volcanic rock palma in the form of a warrior or lord with a swirling motif surrounding. 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 - the palma has a notched base potentially to rest on a yoke with a palma shape fan to protect their chests from the impact of the hard rubber balls. These carved stones are impossibly heavy - especially this hefty example, so this may have functioned as a court marker to determine borders or to keep score during the game. The rubber ballgame was regarded as a holy sport of religious significance. Playing this game was considered an act of worship to celebrate the sun's movement, and by extension the eternal cycle of life and death- the scrolling shapes around this figure symbolizes blood or vines. Size: 7.5" L x 4" W x 18" H (19 cm x 10.2 cm x 45.7 cm)

The Pre-Columbian ballgame originated in the first millennium BCE, most likely in the Valley of Mexico, and was regarded as not merely an athletic activity but rather as a ceremonial means of controlling or predicting the future. The ancients of Mesoamerica played ballgames in a sacred ballcourt space. Some cultures expected players to dedicate themselves to practicing the game and preparing for matches; however, other cultures forced war captives to play the game and sacrificed the losing team. Another custom involved using the possessions of onlookers as prizes for the victorious team.

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired in before 2000

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#175044

Light mineral and earthen deposits in recessed areas. Natural surface pitting and softening to details commensurate with age and exposure to elements. Otherwise excellent and intact!