- 115
Veracruz Stone Head Hacha Classic, ca. A.D. 450-650
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 USD
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Description
- Stone
- Height: 12 1/4 in (31.1 cm)
Provenance
Miklos Rozsa (1907-1995), noted composer for Film Noir, active in Hollywood from 1940's
By descent in the family, Sotheby's, May 17, 1988, lot 182
American private collection, acquired from the above auction
Sotheby's, New York, November 25, 1996, lot 140
Acquired by the present owner from the above auction
By descent in the family, Sotheby's, May 17, 1988, lot 182
American private collection, acquired from the above auction
Sotheby's, New York, November 25, 1996, lot 140
Acquired by the present owner from the above auction
Condition
Excellent.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
This fine hardstone hacha memorializes a specific individual who wears a prominent zoomorphic headdress of a lively fish as a graphic depiction of his nahual or alter-ego. The leaping fish is an important catch of waterbirds as seen on Maya pottery. Aquatic creatures represent life-giving water, as well as providing a general reference to the supernatural watery realm. One can interpret the layered imagery as another 'register' of information, by showing the figure in a specific ritual context. Wilkerson describes hachas with zoomorphic emblems reflecting " an important dimension of ritual recreation of what was to ancient viewers, easily recognizable and significant mythological history." (Wilkerson 2010:255, 257).
Hachas are one of the three important ritual objects of the ballgame and similar to yokes, date from the Preclassic era through the Classic period of the 6th c. Known in both the Gulf Coast and southern Highland Maya regions, hachas were transported long distances and often made in nonlocal raw materials.
For the closely related hacha once belonging to Miguel Covarrubias, see Easby and Scott (1970:fig. 148).
Hachas are one of the three important ritual objects of the ballgame and similar to yokes, date from the Preclassic era through the Classic period of the 6th c. Known in both the Gulf Coast and southern Highland Maya regions, hachas were transported long distances and often made in nonlocal raw materials.
For the closely related hacha once belonging to Miguel Covarrubias, see Easby and Scott (1970:fig. 148).