[Aztlan] Yokes and the Mesoamerican ballgame

[Laughton, Timothy B]

There is a very fine greenstone yoke in the British Museum, London.  It is carved in the shape of a toad; the poison glands are clearly depicted on its shoulders.  Its label says that it was probably used as a mould for shaping ballgame gear but I have always doubted this.  Firstly would you use such a large piece of one of the most precious substances known to you for such a utilitarian purpose, and secondly if you used it as a mould the impression created by this very fine piece of carving would be on the inside of the yoke produced and thus be invisible when worn.  I think a ritual use as part of a ballgame ceremony is much more likely.
Tim.

Dr. Tim Laughton
Department of Art History
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
Essex, CO4 3SQ, U.K.

Phone 01206 873009
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