GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Jade and other greenstones were the most precious materials for the ancient Maya, equivalent to emeralds and diamonds in Western culture. Not only was jade carved into beads that functioned as both jewelry and currency, but this lustrous material was also carved into magical objects that were alive with soul-force and, thus, either useful or potentially harmful.
The carved images kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. This carved jadeite pendant in the shape of a macaw head would have originally been suspended from a necklace or brooch. The beak of the bird, depicted in profile, is emphasized by the deeply carved gaps at the base of the figure's head. Incised lines create a geometric motif that decorates the body of the figure.
Elaine Higgins Smith, Digital Collections Content Coordinator, 2016.
Drawn from
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1973.46], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Getty Vocabulary, AAT (pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002).
NOTES
- Maya, Late Classic, 600–900 C.E., updated by KJones in TMS on 09/23/13 and 06/19/14.
- Part of same accession (2008.74-90); share 1 object file (2 folders); 2008.76 has individual TMS object record.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Maya: AAT: 300017826
Lowland Maya: AAT: 300017099
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Guatemala (nation): TGN: 7005493
Process/materials
jadeite (mineral): AAT: 300011121
carving: AAT: 300053149
incising: AAT: 300053847
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211
Historical periods
Classic (mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016983
Late Classic Period: AAT: 300016986
Individuals
Subject terms
worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274
jewelry: AAT: 300209286
pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002
green (color): AAT: 300128438
figures: AAT: 300189808
macaws (bird): AAT: 300310660
profiles (figures): AAT: 300123319
head: AAT: 300262520
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
linear forms: AAT: 300234452
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627
spirals (geometric figures): AAT: 300163114
scrolls (spirals/motifs): AAT: 300010094
underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823
precious (concept / condition): DMA
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until d. 2007: Jerry L. Abramson (d. 2007), Dallas [1], [2], [3]
From 2008: Dallas Museum of Art, given in memory of Jerry L. Abramson by his estate [1], [2], [3]
[1] The main source for this provenance is letter from Bonnie Pitman, Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, to Thomas E. Rosen, Executor, estate of Jerry L. Abramson (dated December 22, 2008, 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 receipt and release form signed by Bonnie Pitman, Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, and Thomas E. Rosen, Executor, estate of Jerry L. Abramson (dated January 30, 2009, 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 Deed of Gift from estate of Jerry L. Abramson (dated January 30, 2009, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
253363177: UMO. [Caption] Blue and Yellow Macaw (ara ararauna). Source: Benjamint444, Wikimedia Commons, accessed: April 27, 2015, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-and-yellow_macaw#/media/File:Blue-and-Yellow-Macaw.jpg.
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 2008.76
Category
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General Description
Jade and other greenstones were the most precious materials for the ancient Maya, equivalent to emeralds and diamonds in Western culture. Not only was jade carved into beads that functioned as both jewelry and currency, but this lustrous material was also carved into magical objects that were alive with soul-force and, thus, either useful or potentially harmful.
The carved images kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. This carved jadeite pendant in the shape of a macaw head would have originally been suspended from a necklace or brooch. The beak of the bird, depicted in profile, is emphasized by the deeply carved gaps at the base of the figure's head. Incised lines create a geometric motif that decorates the body of the figure.
Elaine Higgins Smith, Digital Collections Content Coordinator, 2016.
Drawn from
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1973.46], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Getty Vocabulary, AAT (pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002).
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- Maya, Late Classic, 600–900 C.E., updated by KJones in TMS on 09/23/13 and 06/19/14.
- Part of same accession (2008.74-90); share 1 object file (2 folders); 2008.76 has individual TMS object record.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Maya: AAT: 300017826
Lowland Maya: AAT: 300017099
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Guatemala (nation): TGN: 7005493
Process/materials
jadeite (mineral): AAT: 300011121
carving: AAT: 300053149
incising: AAT: 300053847
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
drillwork (sculpture technique): AAT: 300186211
Historical periods
Classic (mesoamerican period): AAT: 300016983
Late Classic Period: AAT: 300016986
Individuals
Subject terms
worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274
jewelry: AAT: 300209286
pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002
green (color): AAT: 300128438
figures: AAT: 300189808
macaws (bird): AAT: 300310660
profiles (figures): AAT: 300123319
head: AAT: 300262520
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
linear forms: AAT: 300234452
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627
spirals (geometric figures): AAT: 300163114
scrolls (spirals/motifs): AAT: 300010094
underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823
precious (concept / condition): DMA
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until d. 2007: Jerry L. Abramson (d. 2007), Dallas [1], [2], [3]
From 2008: Dallas Museum of Art, given in memory of Jerry L. Abramson by his estate [1], [2], [3]
[1] The main source for this provenance is letter from Bonnie Pitman, Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, to Thomas E. Rosen, Executor, estate of Jerry L. Abramson (dated December 22, 2008, 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 receipt and release form signed by Bonnie Pitman, Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, and Thomas E. Rosen, Executor, estate of Jerry L. Abramson (dated January 30, 2009, 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 Deed of Gift from estate of Jerry L. Abramson (dated January 30, 2009, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
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2008.76
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