VERACRUZ, Mexico, AD 400-700 - Lot 116

VERACRUZ, Mexico, AD 400-700 Hacha used in "Ulama" ball-game rituals It features a human face with an open mouth, expressing marked expressivity, and bearing four ovoid protuberances on the head arranged in a sagittal crest. The edges of the forehead are adorned with two scrolls in the shape of a sea wave. Carved and semi-polished volcanic stone, marks of time, chip on the back on the lower part of the hoof. 18.5 X 10.5 X 13 cm (with base: 30 cm) Provenance : French collection, former Drouot auction. The "Ulama" ball game, played in Mesoamerica as early as the first millennium BC, is considered to be the ancestor of modern ball games. This ceremonial sport went far beyond mere entertainment: it took on a sacred dimension, honoring the gods and serving as a metaphor for the struggle between cosmic forces. It could also play a political role, calming conflicts or enhancing the prestige of lords and local elites. Objects associated with this ritual, such as this ceremonial axe, testify to the importance of the game in Mesoamerican religious and social life. Axes were probably used as symbols or trophies in ceremonies linked to the game. The presence of motifs such as wave-like scrolls suggests a link with natural and cosmic forces. This work, with its strong expressiveness and elaborate iconography, reflects the complex aesthetics and symbolism of Veracruz cultures. Expert : Serge REYNES