Yoke
Totonac
1 of 6
Object Label
U-shaped objects termed “yokes” by archaeologists are representations in stone of belts worn around a ball player’s hips. This example is decorated with symbolic images alluding to death, such as the human skeleton. The frog’s head at the front references the watery realm of the underworld. The hacha (literally, “axe,” for its resemblance to an axe head) was worn on the front of the belt. The monkey head may symbolize one of the half brothers of the Hero Twins of the Popol Vuh.
Caption
Totonac. Yoke, 700–900. Stone, 4 3/8 × 13 3/8 × 15 1/4 in. (11.1 × 34 × 38.7 cm) mount (upright, wall): 15 1/2 × 13 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (39.4 × 34.3 × 11.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 47.16.2. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Yoke
Date
700–900
Geography
Place found: Veracruz, Mexico
Medium
Stone
Classification
Dimensions
4 3/8 × 13 3/8 × 15 1/4 in. (11.1 × 34 × 38.7 cm) mount (upright, wall): 15 1/2 × 13 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (39.4 × 34.3 × 11.4 cm)
Credit Line
Frank L. Babbott Fund
Accession Number
47.16.2
Frequent Art Questions
For the Mesoamerican ball game, am I understanding the signs correctly? That the losers might be put to death, or is it just metaphorical? Also, did players really wear stone belts?
While that may have happened in some cases, the ballgame was also played for recreation. Scholars have found that one city in Mesoamerica had at least eleven ball courts and the ballgame was very popular throughout the region for centuries!The stone belts are for ceremonial purposes. It's not likely players would have worn them.What kind of ball did they use to play the game?
The balls were made from a natural rubber! They were extremely heavy and players had to wear a lot of padding to protect themselves. This stone piece represents a real piece of athletic gear that would have protected the hip and been made of leather or plant materials.
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at