Beschreibung:

PRE-COLUMBIAN CARVED RUBY MASK 4th-7th century AD A finely carved dark pink ruby head of a bald male with rectangular eyes, wide nose and opened mouth; ruby is from Colorado. 9.32 grams, 26mm (1"). Very fine condition. Rare. Provenance From an important London, W1, collection; acquired 1960-1980s. Literature See examples in The Walters Art Museum, Accession Number TL.2009.20.216; Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number 00.5.1437, 1987.394.721. Footnotes The carved symbol inside mouth is most likely the 'T' symbol for glyph 'Ik', which represents the wind, but also human voice, air, and life. A similar depiction can be found on the famous funerary jade mask of king K'inich Janaab' Pakal, possibly as a representation of king's soul. The rectangular shape of eyes and facial features points to the Teotihuacan style. Teotihuacan began as a new religious centre in the Mexican Highlands around the first century AD and its influence was visible until the Maya 'collapse' in 9th century AD. The later Aztecs claimed a common ancestry with them, modifying and adopting aspects of Teotihuacan culture to their own needs. Although it is a subject of debate whether Teotihuacan was the centre of a state empire, its influence throughout Mesoamerica can be seen at numerous sites. The ethnicity of the inhabitants of Teotihuacan is also a subject of debate with several ethnic groups in consideration.