EXCENTRIQUE EN SILEX CULTURE MAYACLASSIQUE RÉCENT, 550-950 AP. J.-C. |

Fine Arts of Ancient Lands, New York
Collection Carol Meyer (1915-2006), New York, acquis en 1985
Sotheby's, New York, Property from the Collection of Carol Meyer, 17 novembre 2006, n° 350
Importante Collection privée française

Good condition overall. Some extremities are broken. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

L'art de tailler le silex par percussion et pression est une technique de précision ancestrale employée pour créer ces délicats et tranchants insignes de pouvoir. Les silex représentant, comme ici, le Dieu K comptent parmi les plus célèbres du corpus des excentriques. Remarquables par leurs excroissances caractéristiques, ils représentent les attributs de la divinité : tête zoomorphe et motifs de torches dégageant des volutes de fumée. L’extrémité allongée signifiant la jambe unique du Dieu K, vraisemblablement fixée à l’origine sur un support ou une hampe en bois, dotait la divinité d'une silhouette spectaculaire.

Pour un silex très proche, voir Fields et Reents-Budet, Lords of Creation, 2005, p. 175, n° 72. 

The art of flint-knapping was an ancient and precise skill used to create these delicate and abstract power objects. God K flints are reknown for the projecting appendages of additional profile heads, and the diagnostic 'smoking torch' from the forehead as shown on this figure.

God K, also known as K'awiil, was an important deity within the Late Classic period, whose name was invoked by rulers as part of their title. The long shaft forming the legs was likely attached to a wood handle with the deity forming a dramatic silhouette finial.

See Fields and Reents-Budet, Lords of Creation, 2005, p. 175, no. 72, for a similar flint.