Jade Perforator at The British Museum, London
Jade Perforator at The British Museum, London
Published 2016-01-18T16:59:45+00:00
Perforators may have been used by the Olmec in bloodletting rites assoiated with royal accession. Although no direct representation of these rites is found in Olmec art, bloodletting forms a central theme in the scenes depicting Mayan accession rituals (see Yaxchilan lintels). The pair of motifs on the head of this instrument are linked to a supernatural fish being, and may allude to the marine source of other widely used perforators such as stingray spines and sharks' teeth. The size of this object and the fact that it is made of jade suggest that it served a largely symbolic function. It would have formed part of the ritual regalia and visual vocabulary of motifs which were the prerogative of the ruling Olmec elite.
Bloodletting
Bloodletting is the ritualised self cutting of a soft body part using a sharp object such as a stingray, barbed wire or bird beak. The flood drops are then collected on paper and burnt as an offering to the god in return for favours. Blood cut from the tongue is used for accession ceremonies and blood from genitals for fertility. Usually these were done by the royal king and queen to get the maximum effect. They were also buried with the blood letting paraphernalia should they need it after their death.
This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.
Scanned : Photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)
Easy print, no supports and is recommended to print vertically and slowly. Printed by garagedays3d.com Printing Services.
Date published | 18/01/2016 |
¿Cuándo tiempo lleva? | 40 - 50 minutos |
Cantidad de filamento | 4 grams |
Dimensiones | 125mm x 9mm x 9mm |
Tecnología | FDM |
Sin apoyo | YES |
Titulo | Jade Perforator |
Date | 1200 BC - 400 BC |
Dimensión | Height: 38 centimetres Width: 3 centimetres |
Adhesión | Am1907,0608.3 |
Periodo | Olmec |
Medio | jadeite |
Record | http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=480136&partId=1&people=34902&peoA=34902-3-9&page=1 |
Lugar | British Museum |