1973.27 Standing Figure with Were-Jaguar Face (Olmec, Cerro de las Mesas, Veracruz, Mexico)

The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. Kings also possessed small sculptures, such as this carved jadeite figurine that depicts a standing figure. The facial features are common among Olmec figurines and represent the were-jaguar motif, which depicts a human-jaguar supernatural figure with exaggerated down-turned mouth, cleft head, and almond-shaped eyes. The term were-jaguar refers to the merging of human and jaguar characteristics, an analogy with the term werewolf. Although interpretations of the were-jaguar figure vary, the incorporation of animal attributes suggests that the Olmec held animals in high regard and may have attempted to channel the power of such creatures. This image may represent the king's own transformation from a human into a magical animal.

The figure stands with arms across the abdomen and grasps a small object in his hands, likely a celt. Ground stone axe heads or celts made of precious jadeite and serpentine were important in Olmec ritual. Great numbers of them were placed in burial caches, and when planted vertically, celts defined the central axis mundi, or World Tree. The inclusion of this sacred object may represent the ruler's connection to the supernatural world. Small sculptures like this stranding figure also accompanied the king on his journey through death to the otherworld.

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Olmec: AAT: 300017051

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Veracruz (state): TGN: 7005599

Cerro de las Mesas (deserted settlement): TGN: 1099733

jadeite (mineral): AAT: 300011121

carving: AAT: 300053149

polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867

incising: AAT: 300053847

drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211

Middle Preclassic Period (Formative): AAT: 300016973

Late Preclassic Period (Formative): AAT: 300016976

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

Formative Period (Preclassic): AAT: 300016973

sculpture: AAT: 300047090

green (color): AAT: 300128438

shiny: AAT: 300065244

standing: AAT:  300239500

figures: AAT: 300189808

portrait: AAT: 300015637

male: AAT: 300189559

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

deities: AAT: 300343850

jaguar: AAT: 300310389

transformations (concepts / processes): DMA

cleft head (motif): DMA

underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823

king: AAT: 300025481

rulers (people): AAT: 300025475

celts (cutting tools): AAT: 300251881

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

n.d: Dr. and Sra. Josué Sáenz, Mexico, D.F. [1], [2]

Until 1973: Edward H. Merrin Gallery, Inc. [2], [3]

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 [3], [4]

[1] The main source for this provenance was existing provenance information in TMS. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] 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.

[3] 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.

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