GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Olmec established a tradition of portraiture through colossal stone heads and figural sculpture. The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. It is unknown if this small, carved greenstone mask that represents a human face would have been worn, but it may have been suspended from a necklace or brooch by the smaller drilled holes at the earlobes. The almond-shaped eyes, flared nostrils, flattened nose, large lips, and down-turned mouth are common facial features in Olmec figurines. As these features are more human-like than supernatural, this image may represent an ancestor or the king himself.
Elaine Higgins Smith, Digital Collections Content Coordinator, 2015.
Drawn from
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Olmec Mask (1973.17)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 36.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1973.25], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Getty Vocabulary, AAT (pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002).
NOTES
1200–400 B.C.E., NOT updated by KJones in TMS.
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Olmec: AAT: 300017051
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Guerrero (state): TGN: 7005585
Balsas (inhabited place): TGN: 7351418
Process/materials
greenstone (rock): AAT: 300386691
stone: AAT: 300011176
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
sculpture: AAT: 300047090
masks (costume): AAT: 300138758
green (color): AAT: 300128438
miniature (size): AAT: 300121995
male: AAT: 300189559
figures: AAT: 300189808
human figures: AAT: 300404114
portrait: AAT: 300015637
king: AAT: 300025481
rulers (people): AAT: 300025475
ancestors: AAT: 300255718
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823
ritual objects: AAT: 300312158
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
n.d: Dr. and Sra. Josué Sáenz, Mexico, D.F. [1], [2]
Until 1973: Edward H. Merrin Gallery, Inc. [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 is existing 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.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1973.23
Category
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General Description
The Olmec established a tradition of portraiture through colossal stone heads and figural sculpture. The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. It is unknown if this small, carved greenstone mask that represents a human face would have been worn, but it may have been suspended from a necklace or brooch by the smaller drilled holes at the earlobes. The almond-shaped eyes, flared nostrils, flattened nose, large lips, and down-turned mouth are common facial features in Olmec figurines. As these features are more human-like than supernatural, this image may represent an ancestor or the king himself.
Elaine Higgins Smith, Digital Collections Content Coordinator, 2015.
Drawn from
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Olmec Mask (1973.17)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 36.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1973.25], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Getty Vocabulary, AAT (pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002).
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
1200–400 B.C.E., NOT updated by KJones in TMS.
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Olmec: AAT: 300017051
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Guerrero (state): TGN: 7005585
Balsas (inhabited place): TGN: 7351418
Process/materials
greenstone (rock): AAT: 300386691
stone: AAT: 300011176
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
sculpture: AAT: 300047090
masks (costume): AAT: 300138758
green (color): AAT: 300128438
miniature (size): AAT: 300121995
male: AAT: 300189559
figures: AAT: 300189808
human figures: AAT: 300404114
portrait: AAT: 300015637
king: AAT: 300025481
rulers (people): AAT: 300025475
ancestors: AAT: 300255718
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823
ritual objects: AAT: 300312158
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
n.d: Dr. and Sra. Josué Sáenz, Mexico, D.F. [1], [2]
Until 1973: Edward H. Merrin Gallery, Inc. [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 is existing 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.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
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Objects
number
Equals
1973.23
source file
object_notes_3_a-0743.xml.nores