Property from a European Private Collection
Veracruz Stone Hacha of an Avian
Late Classic, circa AD 550 - 950
Height: 16 in (40.6 cm)
Dr. Aaron Nisenson, Los Angeles
Stendahl Galleries, Los Angeles
European Private Collection, acquired from the above on December 18, 1977
Thence by descent
Olga Hammer, ed., Ancient Art of Veracruz, Los Angeles, 1971, p. 90, fig. 138
Los Angeles, The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Ancient Art of Veracruz, February 23 - June 13, 1971
Denver, The Denver Art Museum, 1998 - 2017, (TL 18287.7)
The tall hacha is carved with distinct elements of a tropical bird, perhaps a parrot, with large eyes ringed by tightly spaced feathers, a tall curled plume above and a strong downturned openwork beak. The crest is further trimmed by segmented feathers. Avians of the tropical rain forest and birds of prey were recognized and honored throughout ancient Mesoamerica, depicted in all forms of art including stone sculpture, polychrome pottery, stela, and in hieroglyphic texts. Tropical birds in particular were of importance for their brilliant plumage used in ritual costume, as trading currency, and for their flight and vocal qualities invoking a supernatural ability.
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