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exhibitions > recent: Of Land, Sea, and Sky
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Hacha in the form of a Hawk head Hachas are ceremonial objects, reproductions in stone of an accessory which would have been attached to the "yoke" the ball player wore around his waste. The notch at the back of the object represents the contour which would have fit over the ball player's semi-curcular padded yolk. The ceremonial ball game flourished during the Classic period and many of the finest stone objects especially from the Tuxtlas region in Veracruz are associated with it. Images of members of the hawk family were associated with the sun and with successful warriors, hunters, and competitors. The family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles and falcons, are characterized by a large hooked beak, powerful wings and talons. This hacha represents the head of a raptor, possibly an eagle. The slightly open beak with projecting tongue and the round eyes are open-carved. The surface of the head is carefully incised with a pattern of feathers. Scientific classification: "Accipitridae" family. |
