Said to be Myan

[DOX_E_RSQ]

This was given to me 40 years ago by a family member who said it was Myan. The Chrysler Museum of Art has examined it and says that we should further investigate it's origin with the Richmond Museum. Thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone has any ideas about where I should go from here. It is about 12.5" tall and weighs over 5 lbs. According to the Chrysler it appears to be made of greenstone - a generic term for volcanic rocks used by both the Olmec and Maya in their sculpture. Based on observation it appears that the object served as a ceremonial or votive purpose. Anyone have suggestions as to where to go from here?[


ATTACH=CONFIG]1109037[/ATTACH]

 

[Mark Todd]

You should post your stone carving under a different "category" on this site. Under categories locate "artifact forums", click on it to get to "south/Central American artifacts",post it there. Good Luck. Whether a 40+ year old reproduction or an artifact, it's a neat piece!

 

[ARC]

Um... You only posted one pic...

 

[DOX_E_RSQ]

Thank you! It's all pretty confusing to me but I'm up for learning.

 

[DOX_E_RSQ]

You should post your stone carving under a different "category" on this site. Under categories locate "artifact forums", click on it to get to "south/Central American artifacts",post it there. Good Luck. Whether a 40+ year old reproduction or an artifact, it's a neat piece!

Unfortunately I can't figure that out but I tried. At least got more pictures on.

 

[ARC]

By these new pics you appear to have something that YES APPEARS to be Mayan...
It definitely warrants further investigation and should be brought in person to a specialist AND you should find 2.
At least 2 separate non related experts OR 1 non motive expert should be sought on this piece...
It looks like a tourist piece from the 50's or 60's... but could be much earlier...
BUT... IT COULD BE a real piece that has been custom mounted... if it is... you would have a very valuable piece here.
Fakes of these items are everywhere and you should have this in your mind before you even set out on the journey of truth...
There was and still is a huge market and biz for forgeries of mayan items and they are one of the most abundant of all fakes made.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Might well be. Could have been made in Belize last week for the tourists and still be called "Mayan". They're still around.

 

[DCMatt]

By these new pics you appear to have something that YES APPEARS to be Mayan...
It definitely warrants further investigation and should be brought in person to a specialist AND you should find 2.
At least 2 separate non related experts OR 1 non motive expert should be sought on this piece...
It looks like a tourist piece from the 50's or 60's... but could be much earlier...
BUT... IT COULD BE a real piece that has been custom mounted... if it is... you would have a very valuable piece here.
Fakes of these items are everywhere and you should have this in your mind before you even set out on the journey of truth...
There was and still is a huge market and biz for forgeries of mayan items and they are one of the most abundant of all fakes made.

ARRC - I'm curious why you think this piece appears to be Mayan? I am no expert by any stretch but I have spent some time each summer in southern Mexico over the last couple of decades and this piece didn't strike me as distinctly Mayan - mostly because of the headdress. Do you think it is the proper size and shape to be considered a hacha?

I do agree that the piece needs to in the hands of an expert (not just pictures) for proper identification.

DCMatt

 

[DOX_E_RSQ]

Thank you very much. I can account for it's whereabouts for the last 80 years but not more. Where would I find an expert? Was the Chrysler correct in sending me to the Richmond museum? I have put off investigating this for years but am retired now and have the time.

 

[ARC]

ARRC - I'm curious why you think this piece appears to be Mayan? I am no expert by any stretch but I have spent some time each summer in southern Mexico over the last couple of decades and this piece didn't strike me as distinctly Mayan - mostly because of the headdress. Do you think it is the proper size and shape to be considered a hacha?

I do agree that the piece needs to in the hands of an expert (not just pictures) for proper identification.

DCMatt

I try to walk lightly with peoples finds on here anymore...
I use the word "APPEARS" in big letters as in YES it may... nothing more.

I feel that the head dress appears to be Native American in nature... not Mayan...
But I am no expert...SO... I leave it to the experts that he will have to take it to to be sure.
He stated that he was told it was so... I just let the individual continue this thought to start the process...
Not confuse the person with "my opinion"... this will send him in search of native American source....

 

[DOX_E_RSQ]

The Chrysler Museum states "After some research, we were able to locate some information that may shed light on the sculpture. This certainly is an interesting find. Our research leads to the conclusion that this object served as a ceremonial or votive purpose. Your figure may what is often referred to as a hachas - also known as a votive axe or decorative stone head. These, along with two related classes of objects - Yokes and palmas were associated with the meso-american ball game culture and were worn as decoration and often buried ceremonially."

My suggestion that it might be Mayan comes from the family member who gave it to me as a gift 45 years ago.

 

[ARC]

AHHH so verdict is in
Heh.... All I can say

 

[DCMatt]

Very cool piece, BTW...

Here is a stone (not greenstone) hacha from the British Museum:



This one is from Veracruz (300 - 1200 AD) but (from my VERY LIMITED research) hachas are associated with the Mesoamerican "ballgame" played by the Maya and other cultures at the time of the Spanish arrival in Central America.

I have visited a couple of ballgame arenas in southern Mexico. They are intriguing, to say the least. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the game and the significance of it. It is clear that it was important to the culture before the Spanish arrived and outlawed it.

If you can account for the last 80 years that is in your favor that it is not a fake (still could be). I suggest you approach "experts" with caution and don't give up the piece to anyone unless you are 100% sure you will get it back from them.

Good luck!

DCMatt

 

[DOX_E_RSQ]

Thank you very much! Shall I mark this as answered and search for an in person expert? All this information has been helpful to me.

 

[ARC]

I think you should mark this as "looked at" heh...
Yes I think you need an expert to look in person at this piece... if not 2.

 

[DCMatt]

I poked around a little more and found this guy:

School of World Studies - Bernard K. Means, PhD

I don't know if he can or if even will try to help, but he's close to you and his email and phone # are published. Send him some pictures and see if he responds.

DCMatt