Direct Cast OLMEC CHILD JAGUAR CHANGELING 1000BC Guat.

Material:
Cast Composition Stone
Hand -Made

REPRODUCTION
This reproduction was molded directly  from the original Olmec artifact using a unique, patent pending technology which exactly duplicates the object without risking direct contact.  This guarantees the safety and integrity of the original antiquity while permitting an exact duplicate to be produced.   The technique perfectly  reproduces the original artifact down to the finest tool marks made by the artist 3000 years ago.  Unlike other reproduction techniques, no modern recarving  or  reinterpretation of the piece was necessary. 

The original sculpture is currently in a private collection and was reproduced by Echoes In Time under exclusive agreement with the owners. 
 
 

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STORY
This powerful yet somehow innocent figure, carved from hard volcanic stone, reflects one of the oldest and most universal myths of mankind - the transformation between human and animal.  From European werewolves, to Chinese were-leopards, the mysterious link between man and animals pervades ancient stories of all cultures.  The Olmecs, who flourished in central Mexico 3000 years ago, are the most mysterious and controversial culture in all Mesoamerica.  They built great pyramids, carved giant heads, and laid the foundation for the Mayan and Aztec cultures that followed. 

This crouching figure with the elongated forelimbs and paws of a jaguar but the face of a child, is executed in a classic Olmec style.  Transformational figures are often associated with shamanism, magic and drug induced altered states.  However this seems unlikely for a child figure.  Some argue that the human face represents the spirit of the jaguar itself while others believe the animal features reflect part of the inner soul of man.  The figure might represent an infant destined to become a great shaman.  A truly unique and mysterious sculpture from perhaps the most advanced ancient culture in the New World. 

The OLMECS
Considered the Mother Culture of Mesoamerica the Olmec (or those who live in the land of rubber) entered the scene about 3500 years and created the most advanced culture the New World had ever seen.  These 'jaguar people' took engineering and construction to new levels developing giant pyramids and water aqueducts, spurred new artistic development, created an advanced social structure, calendars, writing, and developed  the 'ball game', a major sport which was avidly played in all subsequent cultures for at least 2500 years.  Even after the fall of this great civilization, It's accomplishments were incorporated into all subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations until the Spanish Conquest.