**Originally Listed At $400**

Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz culture, ca. 500 to 700 CE. A volcanic palma stone, carved by hand, in the shape of a jaguar head. The true palma was a heavy piece of leather worn by athletes during the Mesoamerican ballgame; stones like this one were carved to represent it in sculptural form. Stone palmas may have been given as awards or displayed in temples; the relationship between the ballgame and religion remains unclear, but there certainly seems to be a connection. The jaguar face carved into this example has rounded ears, wide, staring eyes that were probably once painted, and a long snout; he also must have once had fierce, snarling teeth. The jaguar was symbolic of power and wildness, associated in Mesoamerica with gods and kings. Size: 3.75" L x 3.2" W x 6.15" H (9.5 cm x 8.1 cm x 15.6 cm)

Provenance: collection of the late Alfred E. Stendahl, Stendahl Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#126374

Loss to lower part of face. Surface wear commensurate with age.