Post-Classical Period, 13th-16th century AD. A zoomorphic figure in green jade representing a jaguar in a resting position, supported by both its forequarters and hindquarters in simple flexion, open jaws showing fangs and teeth, a striated band of decoration up to the eyes surrounding the jaws that enlarges the jaguar's face; round ears, head slightly tilted to the left. See Instituto Geologico de M?xico, Catalogo Geográfico de las especies minerales de M?xico, Boletin 41, M?xico, 1923; Mirambell, L.E., Tecnicas Lapidarias Prehispanica, M?xico, 1968; Ward, F., Jade Gem, Boock Publishers, EUA, 1996; Ridinger, M.L., ‘El Jade’ in Arqueologia Mexicana vol. V, No 27 Septiembre-Octubre, pp. 52-59, M?xico, 1997; Mirambell, L.E., Materiales Arqueologicos y material prima’, in Serie Arqueologia INAH, M?xico, 2005; Langenscheidt, A., ‘Los Abrasivos en Mesoam?rica’, Arqueologia Mexicana vol. XIV, No 80 Julio-Agosto, M?xico, 2006, pp.55-60.6.6 kg, 24cm (9 1/2"). Property of an Italian collector living in Torino; part of her family's collection since 1965; by descent from her grandmother in 1993; accompanied by a copy of the Italian export permit and a signed academic report by Emilio J. Bejarano Erosa (Director of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Mexico, 1968-1982); and an ten page scientific report from Ciram SAS, Bordeaux, France; also accompanied by a scholarly note TL5339 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10280-168427. A cuauhxicalli container was the repository of the heart of an individual sacrificed during religious ceremonies. Any eagles that took these bloody offerings were identified as messengers of the gods, sent to carry the offerings to the place of residence of the gods. [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]