GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. This carved jadeite bead 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's head. Deeply carved lines indicate the facial features of the figure, and are more clearly visible in profile view. The nose is particularly defined, accentuated by large drill holes for the nostrils. The elongated forehead is a sign of cranial deformation, in which head flattening or binding intentionally alters the shape of the skull, a form of ritual beautification common among the Olmec and other Mesoamerican peoples. 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 style, c. 900–500 B.C.E., NOT updated by KJones in TMS.
- Part of same accession (2008.74-90); share 1 object file (2 folders); 2008.74 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
beads (pierced objects): AAT: 300234006
green (color): AAT: 300128438
figures: AAT: 300189808
head: AAT: 300262520
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
face: DMA
male: AAT: 300189559
beautification: AAT: 300111985
deformation: AAT: 300072976
body modification: AAT: 300262468
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
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 2008.74
Category
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General Description
The carved stone images Olmec kings wore on their foreheads and chests projected supernatural power. This carved jadeite bead 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's head. Deeply carved lines indicate the facial features of the figure, and are more clearly visible in profile view. The nose is particularly defined, accentuated by large drill holes for the nostrils. The elongated forehead is a sign of cranial deformation, in which head flattening or binding intentionally alters the shape of the skull, a form of ritual beautification common among the Olmec and other Mesoamerican peoples. 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 style, c. 900–500 B.C.E., NOT updated by KJones in TMS.
- Part of same accession (2008.74-90); share 1 object file (2 folders); 2008.74 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
beads (pierced objects): AAT: 300234006
green (color): AAT: 300128438
figures: AAT: 300189808
head: AAT: 300262520
faces (animal or human components): AAT: 300251798
face: DMA
male: AAT: 300189559
beautification: AAT: 300111985
deformation: AAT: 300072976
body modification: AAT: 300262468
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
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Objects
number
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2008.74
source file
object_notes_3_a-0727.xml.nores