1973.46 Pendant: Ruler with Jaguar Headdress (Maya, Mexico, southern Maya lowlands)

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.

This pendant portrays a Maya lord wearing the helmet mask of the 18-Rabbit-Snake, one of several mythical battle beasts whose spirits kings summoned in warfare to terrify their enemies. A Maya lord probably carried this pendant as an amulet in his textile-wrapped bundle of power objects.

Excerpt from

Carol Robbins, Label text, A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.

NOTES

550–800 C.E., NOT updated by KJones in TMS; no Culture or Period noted.

Catalogue essays

A Gift of Ancient Art from Mexico

Artist/designers

Cultures

Maya

Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619

Maya: AAT: 300017826

Lowland Maya: AAT: 300017099

Geography

Mesoamerica

Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560

Process/materials

Maya Jade and Greenstone

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

ritual objects: AAT: 300312158

green (color): AAT: 300128438

precious (concept / condition): DMA

souls (spirits / beings): AAT: 300379821

figures: AAT: 300189808

human figures: AAT: 300404114

profiles (figures): AAT: 300123319

nobility (nobles / aristocracy): AAT: 300025942

rulers (people): AAT: 300025475

king: AAT: 300025481

earrings (jewelry): AAT: 300045998

earspools: AAT: 300209300

ear ornaments: AAT: 300211279

bracelets (jewelry): AAT: 300045991

rituals (events): AAT: 300065284

headdress: AAT: 300046023

helmet masks: AAT: 300262835

animals: DMA

jaguar: AAT: 300310389

18-Rabbit-Snake: DMA

supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947

myth: AAT: 300201023

mythical or legendary beings: AAT: 300375725

battles: AAT: 300185692

beasts: AAT: 300379738

spirit: AAT: 300379007

conjure (events): DMA

warrior: AAT: 300261945

amulets: AAT: 300266585

textile materials: AAT: 300231565

wrapping (surface covering process): AAT: 300234992

power: AAT: 300374809

geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764

geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213

RELATED OBJECTS

PROVENANCE

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 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 1973.46