Plaque,

1000–500 BCE

The smooth, subtly modeled surface of this sculpture, embellished with fine incisions, epitomizes Olmec jadeite carving. The bearded humanoid face in profile, with "flame eyebrows," elongated, snout-like nose, and thick, downward-turning lips-all typical of Olmec imagery-resemble the snarling face of a were-jaguar, an important Olmec supernatural being. These features may signify that the individual was a ruler-shaman capable of transforming into a supernatural, zoomorphic creature. A second profile face, to the left, echoes the zoomorphic stylizations of the main figure and extends underneath its headband, ending in a cleft characteristic of Olmec supernatural imagery. The striated element tucked into the headband remains unidentified. This plaque may once have been worn as jewelry, although no attachment holes are evident, or it may have been included in an offertory cache.