Description
Stone palmas, so-called today for their palm-frond-like shape, are ceremonial sculptures that may replicate lightweight gear worn over the chest during the ballgame. Palma imagery is not well-studied and the meaning of the caiman (New World alligator) carved on both sides of this example is unknown. The tail is beautifully adapted to the palma's curved upper edge.
Provenance
(Stendahl Art Galleries, Los Angeles, CA, 1966, sold to James C. and Florence C. Gruener) (?-1966); James C. [1903-1990] and Florence C. [1908-1982] Gruener, Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (1966-1990); The Cleveland Museum of Art (1990)
Accession Number
1990.253
Medium
stone, pigment
Dimensions
Overall: 43.5 x 24 x 15 cm (17 1/8 x 9 7/16 x 5 7/8 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener
