Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 900 to 500 BCE. A standing Olmec were-jaguar figure, finely carved from a beautiful blue-green stone. The body is banded with creamy-white inclusions. This statuette is shown nude with skillfully delineated quintessentially were-jaguar facial details - downturned jaguar mouth, slanted eyes, high arching brows, and jowly cheeks - upon a characteristically elongated pear-shaped head, a sign of high status most likely due to an artificial cranial deformation, practiced from birth among the Olmec and likely used to differentiate clans and/or classes. The body is tall and thin, with the legs and arms skillfully carved, the toes and fingers carefully delineated. Size: 1.6" W x 6.75" H (4.1 cm x 17.1 cm); 7.55" H (19.2 cm) on included custom stand. To the Olmecs, figurines like this example carried many meanings, not all of which are obvious to us today; however, scholars surmise that the color green was associated with vibrant growth, renewal, and given the cyclical conception of life and death, rejuvenation after death. A breathtaking work of art in near miniature, replete with strong technique, intriguing symbolism, and an inherently beautiful green stone. A superb sculptural work from the Olmec, the early Mesoamerican civilization that most regard as the forerunner of subsequent ancient American cultures such as the Maya and Aztecs! Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #140915