Extremely rare "hacha" in shape of a collared peccary, ca. 60 0- 900 AD ·  Mexico, Veracruz · ID: 3046865

Description

mottled grey stone, custom mount

“Hachas” in the shape of a peccary head are very rare. Peccaries were considered a symbol of the underworld among the ancient Mayans.

Such axe-shaped sculptures, called “hacha” (“axe”), are attributed to the complex of the ritual ballgame.

Various interpretations of the stone objects exist. So they could have been the prototype of the wooden or leather-made “hachas” which were used to protect the player during the game or they were just worn in the belt on important ceremonies. Possibly they were used as decorative architectural elements and were inserted in the walls of ballgame playing fields.

Notices

This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).