A PAIR OF MAYAN JADE EAR ORNAMENTS

LATE CLASSIC, CA. A.D. 550-950

Details

A PAIR OF MAYAN JADE EAR ORNAMENTS
Late Classic, ca. A.D. 550-950
Each frontal carved as a stylized parrot's head with recurved beak and incised caruncle, curling feathers surrounding the heads, the eye inlaid with a separate jade plaque in a brighter shade; in grass-green stone with extensive remains of red cinnabar.
Widths 2 1/2 and 2 3/8 in. (6.4 and 6 cm.) (2)

Literature

T. Dickey, V. Muse, H. Wiencek, The God-Kings of Mexico, Canada, 1982, p. 62 bottom.

Virtually every high-status Maya male is depicted wearing some type of earspool or earflare assemblage.

Lot Essay

Cf. Terre des Dieux, pl. 243

Parrots in ancient Mesoamerica were regarded as sacred birds, symbols of the morning star and also of sprouting maize.

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