Zapoteca, Mexico. Terrakotta Jaguar munn. 300-500 e.Kr. 5,2 cm høyde. Spansk importlisens. (Ingen reservasjonspris)

Jaguar Mouth.

Zapoteca, Mexico.

300-500 AD.

Terracotta.

5.2 cm Height.

PROVENANCE: Private collection, V. Z., Netherlands, 1950 - 1980.

CONDITION: Good condition.

DESCRIPTION:

The Zapotec culture arose in the Central Valleys of what is now the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. Oaxaca is a predominantly mountainous area with a variety of ecosystems that range from high mountain temperate forests to lowland tropical rainforests.

The Zapotecs are celebrated for their stoneworking skill, especially the decorative designs that appear often in their architecture. Their bas-reliefs and wall paintings constitute some of the most valuable expressions of pre-Hispanic art in Mexico. Particularly noteworthy are the images of warriors and captives, which reflects the importance of war in Zapotec culture. Also of note are the designs known as “dancers”, which depict individuals in scenes of sacrifice and submission. The architecture of the late Zapotec period features more elaborate decoration of mosaics, carved slabs, and friezes.

Usually, the Zapotecs buried their dead nearby, beneath the floor of their dwellings or close by. These were simple burials and did not involve any kind of construction. Some graves, however, do include complex constructions: doorways covered with bas-reliefs, vestibules, burial chambers, and polychrome wall paintings. Highly detailed bas-relief representations of players of the Mesoamerican ball game, which carried great ritual and symbolic significance for the Zapotecs, shared space with images of priests, offerings, and jaguars – an animal that played a central role in all Mesoamerican religions. Sacrifices seem to have played an important role in religious life also, given the large number of bas-reliefs showing people either in their death throes or already sacrificed. The gallery of the “Dancers” at Monte Albán is a example of such artwork.

Many decorative elements found in the central plaza at Monte Albán show clear influences from the Teotihuacán culture. Mixtec artifacts and offerings also have been found in some buildings, suggesting possible contact and religious links between these two cultures. Around 800 CE, Monte Albán began to decline as the Zapotecs came into increasing contact with the Mayan civilization. Internal strife brought about the collapse of the culture around 1300 CE.




Notes:
The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits, like an export license will be arranged, he will inform the buyer about the status of it if this takes more than a few days.
The piece includes authenticity certificate.
The piece includes Spanish Export License.