PENDENTIF EN JADECULTURE MAYACLASSIQUE RÉCENT, 550-950 AP. J.-C. |

Collection privée, Paris
Sotheby's, New York, 17 mai 2007, n° 199
Importante Collection privée française

Berjonneau (G.), Sonnery (J.-L.) et Deletaille (E.), Chefs-d'œuvre inédits de l'art précolombien, 1985, p. 248, n° 389

Excellent condition overall. Suspension holes. 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."

Sculpté dans un jade de couleur vert pomme - le plus prisé-, ce pendentif céphalomorphe représente la capacité de résurrection du verdoyant chalchihuitl, nom nahua donné par les Aztèques pour désigner les pierres vertes et le jade. Selon Sahagún, chroniqueur du XVIe siècle, les Aztèques classaient le jade en neuf catégories en fonction de la couleur, de l'éclat, de la pureté et de supposées propriétés magiques. Ils croyaient que les chalchihuitl émettaient une vapeur qui renforçait ce qui poussait au-dessus (Nadal, ed. Techne, p. 32).

La tête de ce seigneur est surmontée d'un casque de félin et encadrée de boucles d'oreilles. Les doubles trous latéraux de suspension évoquent un pendentif porté en plastron. 

Voir Finamore et Houston, Fiery Pool, 2010, p. 275, n° 93, pour le pendentif trouvé dans le Cenote à Chichén Itzá.

Carved in the most prized jewel-like color of apple-green jade, this head pendant epitomizes the life-giving verdant quality of chalchihuitl as greenstone and jade were referred to in Nahuatl by the Aztecs. 

The 16th c. chronicler Sahagún reports the Aztecs differentiated nine types of jade based on color, luster, purity and alleged magical properties. They believed that all chalchihuitl emitted a moist vapor and enhanced anything growing above it (Nadal, ed. Techne, p. 32). 

The head of a lord wears a feline helmet and earrings. Referred to as a bib-style pendant by the pierced neck portion, it is drilled laterally beneath the ears for suspension. 

See Finamore and Houston, Fiery Pool, 2010, p. 275, no. 93, for the head pendant found in the Cenote at Chichén Itzá.