Plaque with Figure in Jaguar Costume

Plaque with Figure in Jaguar Costume

A.D. 300-900
Culture
Zapotec
Locale
Oaxaca
Country
Mexico
Object
plaque, sculpture
Medium
Jade
Accession Number
2000.238
Credit Line
Acquired by exchange
Plaque with Figure in Jaguar Costume. A.D. 300-900. Jade. Acquired by exchange. 2000.238.
Dimensions
overall height: 5.125 in, 13.0175 cm; height: 5.188 in, 13.1775 cm; width: 2.625 in, 6.6675 cm; depth: .375 in, 0.9525 cm; base height: 1.875 in, 4.7625 cm; base width: 3.875 in, 9.8425 cm; base depth: 2.5 in, 6.3500 cm
Department
Mayer Center, Arts of the Ancient Americas
Collection
Arts of the Ancient Americas

Plaque with Figure in Jaguar Costume
Zapotec
About A.D. 300–900
Mexico, Oaxaca
Jade
Acquired by exchange, 2000.238

Zapotec jade ornaments as large and elaborate as this example are very rare.  It portrays a man wearing a jaguar costume, a common theme in Zapotec monumental art.  A jade similar to this one was found in an offering cache at the site of Monte Albán, in Oaxaca.

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