Monumental Jaguar Sculpture
Mexico, Southern Veracruz,
A.D. 600-900.
Painted buff ceramic.
Ht. 63.5 cm (25 in.)
Sale item is a photographic print
Original sculpture can be viewed in the Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, Washington, DC

This photograph of the original sculpture shows a large hollow, marvelously naturalistic seated male jaguar with an open snarling mouth. It wears what we know to be a "sacrificial scarf" around its neck. The fearsome tropical jaguar was a principal sacred creature in much of Mesoamerica. The modeling of the body is more human than feline, connoting the deification of this animal. Mesoamerican peoples believed that they possessed animal companion spirits or co-essences and these animal or composite forms are often depicted in various media from Early Preclassic times up to, and past, the period of European contact. Indeed, such representations may be seen in the jaguar dances of traditional indigenous peoples to this day.

There is an intentional square opening in the upper back, as well as round vent holes behind the haunches and in the forelimbs and in the ears. A row of tiny perforations in the maws may have been intended to hold real whiskers. Further perforations under the scarf suggest the attachment of other materials. The male genitals are modeled in relief and various scored details indicate his belt as well as folds in the scarf. The head and body are painted red, with the pupils and nostrils black. The large opening in the back suggests that this served as a container, if not an incense burner.

A famous painted monumental clay jaguar of similar form, but from Monte Alban in Oaxaca, is housed in the Mexican National Museum.

For more information visit the Early Americas Exhibit

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Product #: kislak114E