1968.17.FA Miniature Mask (Olmec, Guerrero, Mexico)

The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. It is unknown if this small jadeite mask would have been worn, but it may have been suspended from a necklace or brooch by the smaller drilled holes at the earlobes of the figure. The almond-shaped eyes, flared nostrils, flattened nose, large lips, and down-turned mouth are common facial features among Olmec figurines. Although the characteristics of this figure are more human-like than supernatural, they may relate to the were-jaguar motif, a human-jaguar supernatural figure that is prominent in Olmec art. 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. Objects such as these often accompanied the king on his journey through death to the otherworld.

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Olmec: AAT: 3000017051

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Guerrero (state): TGN: 7005585

Balsas (inhabited place): TGN: 7351418

jadeite (mineral): AAT: 300011121

carving: AAT: 300053149

drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211

polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867

Middle Preclassic Period (Formative): AAT: 300016973

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

Formative Period (Preclassic): AAT: 300016973

sculpture: AAT: 300047090

masks (costume): AAT: 300138758 

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

deities: AAT: 300343850

jaguar: AAT: 300310389

were-jaguar (Mesoamerican mythical figure / deity): DMA

transformations (concepts / processes): DMA

green (color): AAT: 300128438

miniature (size): AAT: 300121995

shiny: AAT: 300065244

From 1968: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Foundation for the Arts Collection, purchased from Teochita, Inc., New York (Frances Pratt, dealer) [1], [2], [3]

[1] The main source for this provenance is invoice from Teochita, Inc., New York (dated April 3, 1968, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[2] The Dallas Art Association is the predecessor to the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. The name was abandoned in 1970. Works from this collection were transferred to the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

[3] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.

253365302: UMO. [Caption] Monument 52 from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Veracruz, showing a classic were-jaguar figure. Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania, Wikimedia Commons, accessed: June 01 2015, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Seated_Olmec_Jaguar_from_San_Lorenzo%2C_Veracruz.jpg.

Apply to objects where number equals 1968.17.FA