1973.75 Pendant: depicting a crocodile (Olmec, Guerrero, Mexico)

The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. This small, carved jadeite pendant that depicts a crocodile would have originally been suspended from a necklace or brooch as indicated by the smaller drilled holes at the top of the figure. The crocodile is seen from above, with the head at the bottom, indicated by the drilled holes for the nostrils. The four projections on the sides of the snout represent the creature's teeth, while the slightly larger projections form its front and rear legs. The incised, curved line indicates the squared base of the crocodile's tail, terminating in the holes for suspension.

In Olmec cosmology, the World Tree often functioned as the axis mundi, linking the celestial, terrestrial, and underworld realms. The World Tree could be depicted as an upended crocodilian creature whose tail sprouted vegetation. This pendant recalls that imagery. Objects such as these often accompanied the king on his journey through death to the otherworld.

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Olmec: AAT: 300017051

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Guerrero (state): TGN: 7005585

jadeite (mineral): AAT: 300011121

carving: AAT: 300053149

polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867

drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211

Middle Preclassic Period (Formative): AAT: 300016973

Formative Period (Preclassic): AAT: 300016973

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

worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274

jewelry: AAT: 300209286

pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002

green (color): AAT: 300128438

crocodile (crocodylidae family): AAT: 300250293

tails (animal components): AAT: 300251800

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

deities: AAT: 300343850

tree of life (general motif / axis mundi /cosmic axis / world axis / world tree): AAT: 300312112

celestial (concepts): AAT: 300404122

terrestrial (concepts): AAT: 300404121

underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823

plant-derived motifs: AAT: 300164599

foliation (pattern): AAT: 300165104

spirals (geometric figures): ATT: 300163114

shiny: AAT: 300065244

n.d: Dr. and Sra. Josué Sáenz, Mexico, D.F. [1]

Until 1973: Edward H. Merrin Gallery, Inc. [2]

From 1973: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott and The Eugene McDermott Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated [2], [3]

[1] The main source for this provenance is Object Worksheet (n.d., 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 Acquisition Record (dated March 13, 1973, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[3] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

Apply to objects where number equals 1973.75