1973.42 Jade Pendant: Contortionist (Maya, Chiapas, Mexico)

The carved images kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. This carved jadeite pendant depicts a figure that may represent a contortionist or a bound prisoner and would have originally been suspended from a necklace by the holes on the sides. Incised lines form the profile of the face, and the figure wears a necklace and earspools. The figure's body contorts around the base and side of the bead, his arms rest at the waist, and his feet rest against the top of the head. Captives were often bound in this same way, taken during warfare for the purpose of sacrifice or bloodletting. Objects such as these often accompanied the king on his journey through death to the otherworld.

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Maya: AAT: 300017826

Highland Maya: AAT: 300017120

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Chiapas (state): TGN: 7005580

Early Classic: AAT: 300016984

worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274

jewelry: AAT: 300209286

pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002

green (color): AAT: 300128438

figures: AAT: 300189808

human figures: AAT: 300404114

head: AAT: 300262520

faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798

male: AAT: 300189559

contortionists (performing artists): DMA

acrobats (performing artists): AAT: 300263157

captive (prisoners of war): AAT: 300259895

sacrifices: AAT: 300263243

blood: AAT: 300011797

bloodletting (self-sacrifice / ritual): DMA

wars: AAT: 300055314

rituals (events): AAT: 300065284

earrings (jewelry): AAT: 300045998

earspools: AAT: 300209300

ear ornaments: AAT: 300211279

necklaces: AAT: 300046001

underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823

king: AAT: 300025481

rulers (people): AAT: 300025475

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

Until 1973: Edward H. Merrin Gallery, Inc. [1], [2], [3]

From 1973: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott, the McDermott Foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, purchased from the above [1], [2], [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 Collections 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 Worksheet (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.

Apply to objects where number equals 1973.42