Pre-Columbian, Colombia, San Augustin, ca. 1st to 8th century CE. A finely carved, large stone monument depicting an intimidating (even hair raising) standing jaguar deity with a bird monster who has aggressively jumped upon the jaguar deity's shoulders and is looking out with an expressive grimace above the wild feline's fierce countenance. Scholars have drawn parallels between the pre-Incan civilization of San Augustin with the Mayans of Central America. If one traces the Rio Magdalena north from San Agustin it becomes clear that it begins on the Atlantic coast of Colombia close to the ruins of the "Ciudad Perdida," which was a probable landing point for the Mayans assuming they traveled by boat from the Yucatan Peninsula or crossed the Darien Gap into Colombia from Panama. Hence, the jaguar figure depicted on this piece may represent the Mayan Jaguar Twin Hero Xbalanque, and the bird monster upon his shoulders is probably God Vucub Caquix. Size: 12.25" W x 21.5" H (31.1 cm x 54.6 cm)

According to a dramatic narrative in the Popol Vuh, the protective hero twin Xbalanque, possessing a zoomorphic phenotype with jaguar skin, fought the monster macaw Vucub Caquix with his twin Hunahpu, and the pair defeated him via trickery.

This piece truly is a remarkable sculptural work demonstrating great attention to details: behold the jaguar figure with its ferocious visage comprised of wide open eyes and sharp fangs/teeth, this face framed by an elaborate headdress decorated with triangular danglers, as he holds a large, dangerous weapon in his hands/paws. Adding to the complexity of this composition is the bird demon Vucub Caquix (meaning Seven Macaw) forcefully gripping him from behind.

Jaguar lore looms large in Maya religion with several deities assuming the wild feline's phenotype, including the Jaguar God of Terrestrial Fire and War (Night Sun), God L, the Jaguar Goddess of Midwifery and War, the Jaguar Patron of the War Month of Pax, and the Jaguar Twin hero Xbalanque most likely depicted in this example. Furthermore, jaguar protectors (possibly representing ancestors) and jaguar transformational figures are also prominent in Mayan visual culture and oral traditions. What's more the jaguar symbolized power and might throughout the Pre-Columbian world. Warriors, rulers, hunters, and shamans alike associated themselves with this king of beasts, the largest and most powerful feline in the New World. As a nocturnal animal that sleeps in caves and dark places and creeps quietly in the forest, the jaguar evoked great mystery. No wonder this wild feline captured the ancients' imaginations.

Provenance: ex-private J. Smith collection, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

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#120393

Normal surface wear, abraded areas, and earthen encrustation commensurate with age. Surface also possesses liberal manganese blooms attesting to its long history!