Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. A fascinating greenstone amulet hand-carved with a visage resembling a skull, comprised of encircled, annular eyes, a sunken, triangular nose, and an open mouth display top and bottom rows of gritted teeth. A macabre but interesting piece! Size: 2.3" W x 3.3" H (5.8 cm x 8.4 cm); 5.1" H (13 cm) on included custom stand.

The Maya coveted finely carved green stone articles such as this amulet, as they were believed to emphasize the elite rank of individuals wearing them. By the time of the Classic period, Maya green stone objects and beads were highly valued. One primary reason for their treasured status was that these green stones were the same color as sprouting maize, and hence represented both earthly life and eternal life of the spirits. Sacred Maya green stone objects were oftentimes passed from generation to generation in addition to being used as grave offerings and placed in sacrificial caches.

Provenance: private Superior, Colorado, USA collection owned since 2008

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#180047

Some chipping and nicks to surface as shown, all commensurate with age, but otherwise intact with very nice presentation and good preservation of incised details.