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
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Maya: AAT: 300017826
Lowland Maya: AAT: 300017099
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
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
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
Category
rules_operator
AND
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.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
550–800 C.E., NOT updated by KJones in TMS; no Culture or Period noted.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Pre-Columbian (American): AAT: 300016619
Maya: AAT: 300017826
Lowland Maya: AAT: 300017099
Geography
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
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
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
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1973.46
source file
object_notes_3_a-0806.xml.nores