Central Caribbean. Stele, 700-1000. Volcanic stone, 78 9/16 x 23 1/4 x 11 in. (199.5 x 59 x 27.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 34.5098. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.5098_front_PS4.jpg)
Central Caribbean. Stele, 700-1000. Volcanic stone, 78 9/16 x 23 1/4 x 11 in. (199.5 x 59 x 27.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 34.5098. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.5098_detail_PS4.jpg)
Stele
Arts of the Americas
On View: Arts of the Americas Galleries, 5th Floor
The exact function of monumental stone slabs such as this one is unknown because only a few have been found in situ. One example was discovered upright in a cemetery, and scholars believe that such intricately carved stone monuments could have been used as grave markers for important individuals. In the manner of modern-day headstones, the base would have been buried in the ground. This stela is topped with three kneeling human figures wearing jaguar masks. The back of the slab is decorated with eighteen crouching jaguars. The jaguar may have been a totem animal or clan symbol of the deceased.
La función exacta de bloques monumentales de piedra como éste es desconocida, ya que solo unos pocos han sido encontrados in situ. Un ejemplo fue descubierto verticalmente en un cementerio, y académicos creen que monumentos de piedra intrincadamente tallados pueden haberse usado como marcadores de tumbas para individuos importantes. A la manera de lápidas modernas, la base habría estado enterrada. Esta estela está coronada por tres figuras humanas arrodilladas llevando mascaras de jaguar. El reverso de la piedra está decorado con dieciocho jaguares agazapados. El jaguar puede haber sido un animal totémico o un símbolo del clan del difunto.
La función exacta de bloques monumentales de piedra como éste es desconocida, ya que solo unos pocos han sido encontrados in situ. Un ejemplo fue descubierto verticalmente en un cementerio, y académicos creen que monumentos de piedra intrincadamente tallados pueden haberse usado como marcadores de tumbas para individuos importantes. A la manera de lápidas modernas, la base habría estado enterrada. Esta estela está coronada por tres figuras humanas arrodilladas llevando mascaras de jaguar. El reverso de la piedra está decorado con dieciocho jaguares agazapados. El jaguar puede haber sido un animal totémico o un símbolo del clan del difunto.
CULTURE
Central Caribbean
MEDIUM
Volcanic stone
DATES
700-1000
DIMENSIONS
78 9/16 x 23 1/4 x 11 in. (199.5 x 59 x 27.9 cm)
(show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Americas
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Arts of the Americas Galleries, 5th Floor
EXHIBITIONS
ACCESSION NUMBER
34.5098
CREDIT LINE
Alfred W. Jenkins Fund
RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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CAPTION
Central Caribbean. Stele, 700-1000. Volcanic stone, 78 9/16 x 23 1/4 x 11 in. (199.5 x 59 x 27.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 34.5098. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.5098_front_PS4.jpg)
IMAGE
front, 34.5098_front_PS4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013
"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Large stone stele decorated with three human figures wearing jaguar masks. The figures are carved in the round and joined by the arms of the central figure. The back of the piece is decorated with eighteen crouching jaguars in high relief that are carved along the sides of the stele.
Condition: good.
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