GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. Rulers also portrayed themselves in the form of small figurines, such as this carved serpentine example that depicts a standing man. Both hands have been damaged, and there are small drill holes at the nostrils as well as the earlobes that continue to the lower back of the neck. Finely incised lines indicate the figure is wearing a loincloth, but further costume details are absent. The almond-shaped eyes, flared nostrils, flattened nose, large lips, and down-turned mouth are common facial features among Olmec figurines. As these features are more human-like than supernatural, this image may represent an ancestor or the king himself. The elongated forehead is a sign of cranial deformation, in which head flattening or binding intentionally alters the shape of the skull, a form of ritual beautification common among the Olmec and other Mesoamerican peoples. Objects such as these often accompanied the king on his journey through death to the otherworld.
Adapted from
- Carol Robbins, Label text, A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- F. Kent Reilly, PhD, DMA unpublished material [1973.17], 1992.
NOTES
- Olmec, Formative period, 900–500 B.C.E., updated by KJones in TMS on 10/16/13, 06/19/14, 03/14/16, and 03/21/16.
- General Description drawn from: DMA unpublished material [TMS Object Record Olmec Mask (1973.17), cited as Kent Reilly (1992)].
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Olmec: AAT: 300017051
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Guerrero (state): TGN: 7005585
Process/materials
serpentine: AAT: 300011627
carving: AAT: 300053149
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
incising: AAT: 300053847
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
sculpture: AAT: 300047090
green (color): AAT: 300128438
gray (color): AAT: 300130811
pink (color): AAT: 300124707
standing: AAT: 300239500
male: AAT: 300189559
figures: AAT: 300189808
human figures: AAT: 300404114
portrait: AAT: 300015637
loincloths (main garments): AAT: 300209923
king: AAT: 300025481
rulers (people): AAT: 300025475
ancestors: AAT: 300255718
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823
head: AAT: 300262520
beautification: AAT: 300111985
deformation: AAT: 300072976
body modification: AAT: 300262468
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
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.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1973.25
Category
rules_operator
AND
General Description
The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. Rulers also portrayed themselves in the form of small figurines, such as this carved serpentine example that depicts a standing man. Both hands have been damaged, and there are small drill holes at the nostrils as well as the earlobes that continue to the lower back of the neck. Finely incised lines indicate the figure is wearing a loincloth, but further costume details are absent. The almond-shaped eyes, flared nostrils, flattened nose, large lips, and down-turned mouth are common facial features among Olmec figurines. As these features are more human-like than supernatural, this image may represent an ancestor or the king himself. The elongated forehead is a sign of cranial deformation, in which head flattening or binding intentionally alters the shape of the skull, a form of ritual beautification common among the Olmec and other Mesoamerican peoples. Objects such as these often accompanied the king on his journey through death to the otherworld.
Adapted from
- Carol Robbins, Label text, A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- F. Kent Reilly, PhD, DMA unpublished material [1973.17], 1992.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- Olmec, Formative period, 900–500 B.C.E., updated by KJones in TMS on 10/16/13, 06/19/14, 03/14/16, and 03/21/16.
- General Description drawn from: DMA unpublished material [TMS Object Record Olmec Mask (1973.17), cited as Kent Reilly (1992)].
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Olmec: AAT: 300017051
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Guerrero (state): TGN: 7005585
Process/materials
serpentine: AAT: 300011627
carving: AAT: 300053149
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
incising: AAT: 300053847
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
sculpture: AAT: 300047090
green (color): AAT: 300128438
gray (color): AAT: 300130811
pink (color): AAT: 300124707
standing: AAT: 300239500
male: AAT: 300189559
figures: AAT: 300189808
human figures: AAT: 300404114
portrait: AAT: 300015637
loincloths (main garments): AAT: 300209923
king: AAT: 300025481
rulers (people): AAT: 300025475
ancestors: AAT: 300255718
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823
head: AAT: 300262520
beautification: AAT: 300111985
deformation: AAT: 300072976
body modification: AAT: 300262468
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
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.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1973.25
source file
object_notes_3_a-0741.xml.nores