2008.82.2 Spherical bead with four-point stars (Olmec, Mexico)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. This carved jadeite spherical bead would have originally been part of a necklace, strung by the drilled hole at the center of the bead. Both sides of the bead are incised with a geometric motif that can be interpreted as four point stars. This may relate to the four cardinal directions, the corners of the four-sided world or cosmic maize field, and thus have further cosmological significance. Objects such as these often accompanied the king on his journey through death to the otherworld.

Elaine Higgins Smith, Digital Collections Content Coordinator, 2015.

Drawn from

Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.32], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
Carol Robbins, Label text [1973.75], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
Getty Vocabulary, AAT (pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002).

NOTES

Olmec, Middle Formative period, 900–500 B.C.E., updated by KJones in TMS on 06/19/14, 03/14/16, and 03/21/16.
Part of same accession (2008.74-90); share 1 object file (2 folders); 2008.82.2 has individual TMS object record.

Catalogue essays

Artist/designers

Cultures

Olmec

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Olmec: AAT: 300017051

Geography

Mesoamerica

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Guatemala (nation): TGN: 7005493

Process/materials

Olmec Jade and Greenstone

jadeite (mineral): AAT: 300011121

carving: AAT: 300053149

polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867

drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211

Historical periods

Middle Preclassic Period (Formative): AAT: 300016973

Preclassic (Archaic / Formative / Mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016967

Formative Period (Preclassic): AAT: 300016973

Individuals

Subject terms

worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274

jewelry: AAT: 300209286

beads (pierced objects): AAT: 300234006

green (color): AAT: 300128438

cardinal directions (compass points): AAT: 300078457

stars (extraterrestrial bodies): AAT: 300387654

astronomy (sciences): AAT: 300054534

cosmology (cosmological / disciplines): AAT: 300054294

maize (zea mays species): AAT: 300375398

corn (zea mays species): AAT: 300375398

linear forms: AAT: 300234452

geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764

geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213

lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279

diamonds (motifs): AAT: 300009791

underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823

RELATED OBJECTS

PROVENANCE

Until d. 2007: Jerry L. Abramson (d. 2007), Dallas [1], [2], [3]

From 2008: Dallas Museum of Art, given in memory of Jerry L. Abramson by his estate [1], [2], [3]

[1] The main source for this provenance is letter from Bonnie Pitman, Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, to Thomas E. Rosen, Executor, estate of Jerry L. Abramson (dated December 22, 2008, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The main source for this provenance is receipt and release form signed by Bonnie Pitman, Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, and Thomas E. Rosen, Executor, estate of Jerry L. Abramson (dated January 30, 2009, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[3] The main source for this provenance is Deed of Gift from estate of Jerry L. Abramson (dated January 30, 2009, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

AUDIO ASSETS

VIDEO ASSETS

IMAGE ASSETS

WEB RESOURCES

ARCHIVAL RESOURCES

FUN FACTS

TEACHING IDEAS

RULES

Apply to objects where number equals 2008.82.2