Honduras; Maya
Jade (jadeite), cinnabar
H. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979 (1979.206.1069)
A number of small greenstone or jade figures associated with the Maya site of Copán in the Copán valley of western Honduras depict a low-relief figure with hands held to the chest in a distinctive manner, as seen here. The thumbs are visible on top of closed fists, a position that has been called "crab-clawed" and thought to indicate high or sacred status in the ancient city. A similar crab-clawed jade figure was excavated at Copán, where it was one item of a cache deposit that included flints chipped into extraordinary shapes, a brilliant orange spiny-oyster shell, and the sharp-edged spines of stingrays, all elements associated with warriors. This seated, cross-legged figure is reputed to come from the vicinity of Copán itself. Although of appropriate size for wearing about the neck, it is not perforated for suspension.
Related
Index Terms
Material and Technique
Subject Matter/Theme
- Figure, Deity
- Figure, Deity, Indigenous Religions
- Figure, Deity, Indigenous Religions, Mesoamerica and Central America
