id: 155537 accession number: 1990.248 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1990.248 updated: 2022-01-04 17:08:49.524000 Ballgame Thin Stone Head (Hacha), 600-900. Mexico, Gulf Coast, Classic Veracruz style (600-1100). Stone, pigment traces; overall: 23.7 x 6.9 x 15.8 cm (9 5/16 x 2 11/16 x 6 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener 1990.248 title: Ballgame Thin Stone Head (Hacha) title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: 600-900 creation date earliest: 600 creation date latest: 900 current location: 233 Mesoamerican and Intermediate Region creditline: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener copyright: --- culture: Mexico, Gulf Coast, Classic Veracruz style (600-1100) technique: stone, pigment traces department: Art of the Americas collection: AA - Mesoamerica type: Sculpture find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS --- measurements: Overall: 23.7 x 6.9 x 15.8 cm (9 5/16 x 2 11/16 x 6 1/4 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS title: The Gruener Collection of Pre-Columbian Art opening date: 1992-02-04T05:00:00 The Gruener Collection of Pre-Columbian Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 4-November 29, 1992). --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS * Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art; February 4 - November 29, 1992. "The Gruener Collection of Pre-Columbian Art." The Bulletin of The Cleveland Museum of Art. 79 (September, 1992.) cat. no. 59, p. 270, repr. fig. 59, p. 252. --- PROVENANCE (Stendahl Art Galleries, Los Angeles, CA, 1965, sold to James C. and Florence C. Gruener) date: ?-1965 footnotes: citations: James C. [1903-1990] and Florence C. [1908-1982] Gruener, Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art date: 1965-1990 footnotes: citations: The Cleveland Museum of Art date: 1990 footnotes: citations: --- fun fact: digital description: wall description: In contrast to other ballgame sculptures on display, it seems unlikely that thin stone heads, known as hachas, are renditions of actual ballgame gear. Their use remains unclear, but the notch at the back of most examples suggests they might have served as architectural ornaments during play or game ceremonies. Also, in a few artistic depictions of game ceremonials, such heads rest upon U-shaped hip protectors, like one nearby. --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- IMAGES web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1990.248/1990.248_web.jpg print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1990.248/1990.248_print.jpg full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1990.248/1990.248_full.tif