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Collections: Arts of the Americas: Figure of an Iguana

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Figure of an Iguana

Culture: Olmec
Medium: Jadeite
Place Made: Mexico
Dates: 800-500 B.C.E.
Period: Preclassic or Middle Formative
Dimensions: 4 3/4 x 1 15/16 in. (12.1 x 4.9 cm)
Collections: Arts of the Americas
Museum Location: This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
Accession Number: L48.24.2
Credit Line: Collection of Robin B. Martin
Image: Overall, L48.24.2_transp5618.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

Catalogue Description: Carved jade figurine of an iguana. This Olmec iguana is not an ordinary reptile: its forked tail, serrated "flame" brow and L-shaped eyes indicate that it is a supernatural. This composite reptilian creature may represent powers that control the underworld and agricultural fertility because it shares features with numerous other sculptures that have been similarly interpreted. Condition: excellent.

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lesliebee (3)
- iguana
- figurine
- jade
moriah11 (6)
- olmec
- iguana
- lizard
- green
- jadeite
- jade

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