Veracruz Stone Manopla Protoclassic, Circa 100 BC - 250 AD

Harold Reigle, Fort Worth 
John Menser, Greenwich, Connecticut, acquired from the above
European Private Collection, acquired from the above on June 16, 1983

Denver Art Museum, Denver, long term loan, 1998 - 2017

Overall excellent condition. Appears completely intact. Areas of encrustation on the proper right opening. Extensive cinnabar overall.
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The finely proportioned circular handstone is covered in a rich coating of red cinnabar (mercuric sulfide) pigment denoting this as a sacred object. The perimeter flows seamlessly into the rounded handles formed by triangular cutaway areas, with slightly curved edges on both horizontal and vertical portions.

Manoplas are part of the ballgame accoutrements, considered to be both ceremonial and functional objects. Manopla forms range from oblong to circular, occurring in the Gulf Coast and Maya highlands from the Preclassic era onward. Some have relief carving, but plain ones were likely used in the ballgame, as one shown being held on a Maya figurine (Leyenaar & Parsons, Ulama: the Ballgame of the Mayas and the Aztecs, 1988, pl. 21).

For examples of manoplas see Leyenaar & Parsons, ibid., cat. nos. 43-50, and Solís Olguín & Leyenaar, Mexico, Journey to the Land of the Gods, Art Treasures of Ancient Mexico, 2002, cat. no. 172).