Accession No

2012.51


Description

Carved stone zoomorphic figurine, depicting Olmec dragon or earth monster, in green stone. Semi-cirular shape with flat base, face of dragon at pointed end, with carved notches along back and rump. Incised lines for mouth, faint lines scratched into both sides for eyes, flaming eyebrows and legs.


Place

Americas; Central America; Guatemala


Period

Olmec Middle Formative 900-400 BC


Source

Keynes, Richard Darwin [collector and bequether]; Kaplan, William [excavator]


Department

Arch


Reference Numbers

2012.51; 21/292 [Kaplan Coll.]


Cultural Affliation


Material

Stone


Local Term


Measurements

18mm x 29mm x 51mm Weight 0.035kg


Events

Context (Auction / Sale)
In his bequest schedule, Prof. Richard Keynes gives the provenance of this object as: 'Excavated by [William] Kaplan in Guatemala, and numbered 21/292 in his collection. From Mrs [Mildred] Kaplan, Arte Primitivo Inc., New York, March 1981.'
Event Date 3/1981
Author: maa


Description (Physical description)
Bequest Schedule: 'Fish carved in pale green stone, with Olmec flame eyebrows, eyes and fins, lightly incised on each side.'
Event Date 2012
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)


Description (Physical description)
Animal figure, the Olmec dragon, carved in green stone. Ovid body with flat base; carved ridges along spine of figure. Eyes, 'flame eyebrows' and mouth lightly incised on each side.
Event Date 4/9/2013
Author: maa


Context (Amendments / updates)
On 20 March 2015, Professor Mary Miller identified this object as the Olmec dragon from the Middle Formative period, which has now been added to the Description and Period fields.
Event Date 8/4/2015
Author: Imogen Gunn


Description (Physical description)
Carved stone zoomorphic figurine, depicting Olmec dragon or earth monster, in green stone. Semi-cirular shape with flat base, face of dragon at pointed end, with carved notches along back and rump. Incised lines for mouth, faint lines scratched into both sides for eyes, flaming eyebrows and legs.
Event Date 14/3/2025
Author: Stephanie Chinneck


FM:39133

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