GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. This carved jadeite pendant in the shape of a human head would have originally been suspended from a necklace as indicated by the drilled holes on the sides of the figure. The almond-shaped eyes, flared nostrils, flattened nose, large lips, down-turned mouth, and cleft-head are common facial features among Olmec figurines. These characteristics likely relate to the were-jaguar motif, which depicts a human-jaguar supernatural figure. The term were-jaguar refers to the merging of human and jaguar characteristics, an analogy with the term werewolf. 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. This image may also represent transformation from a human into a magical animal. Objects such as these often accompanied the king on his journey through death to the otherworld.
Elaine Higgins Smith, Digital Collections Content Coordinator, 2015.
Drawn from
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Getty Vocabulary, AAT (pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002).
NOTES
- Olmec, Middle Formative period, 900–500 B.C.E., updated by KJones in TMS on 06/19/14, 03/14/16, and 03/21/16.
- Part of same accession (2008.74-90); share 1 object file (2 folders); 2008.89 has individual TMS object record.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Olmec: AAT: 300017051
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Process/materials
jadeite (mineral): AAT: 300011121
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
worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274
jewelry: AAT: 300209286
pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002
green (color): AAT: 300128438
figures: AAT: 300189808
head: AAT: 300262520
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
male: AAT: 300189559
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
deities: AAT: 300343850
jaguar: AAT: 300310389
were-jaguar (Mesoamerican mythical figure / deity): DMA
transformations (concepts / processes): DMA
cleft head (motif): DMA
underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823
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
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.
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 2008.89
Category
rules_operator
AND
General Description
The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. This carved jadeite pendant in the shape of a human head would have originally been suspended from a necklace as indicated by the drilled holes on the sides of the figure. The almond-shaped eyes, flared nostrils, flattened nose, large lips, down-turned mouth, and cleft-head are common facial features among Olmec figurines. These characteristics likely relate to the were-jaguar motif, which depicts a human-jaguar supernatural figure. The term were-jaguar refers to the merging of human and jaguar characteristics, an analogy with the term werewolf. 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. This image may also represent transformation from a human into a magical animal. Objects such as these often accompanied the king on his journey through death to the otherworld.
Elaine Higgins Smith, Digital Collections Content Coordinator, 2015.
Drawn from
- Carol Robbins, Label text [1968.20], A. H. Meadows Galleries, 2010.
- Getty Vocabulary, AAT (pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002).
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- Olmec, Middle Formative period, 900–500 B.C.E., updated by KJones in TMS on 06/19/14, 03/14/16, and 03/21/16.
- Part of same accession (2008.74-90); share 1 object file (2 folders); 2008.89 has individual TMS object record.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Olmec: AAT: 300017051
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Process/materials
jadeite (mineral): AAT: 300011121
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
worn costume accessories: AAT: 300209274
jewelry: AAT: 300209286
pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002
green (color): AAT: 300128438
figures: AAT: 300189808
head: AAT: 300262520
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
male: AAT: 300189559
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
deities: AAT: 300343850
jaguar: AAT: 300310389
were-jaguar (Mesoamerican mythical figure / deity): DMA
transformations (concepts / processes): DMA
cleft head (motif): DMA
underworld (doctrinal concept): AAT: 300343823
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
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
2008.89
source file
object_notes_3_a-0723.xml.nores