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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Dragon
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Dragon

Artist/Maker (Gulf Coast, Mexico)
Dateca. 1500-400 BCE
Mediumbasalt stone
DimensionsOverall: 12 5/8 x 13 5/8 x 18 1/2 in. (32.1 x 34.6 x 47 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Edward R. Roberts
Terms
    Object number2006.31.1
    DescriptionThe dragon is the most significant zoomorphic creature represented in Olmec art. A hybrid of a caiman and a harpy eagle, it symbolically conveys the idea of movement through earth, water, and sky. The visual traits most commonly associated with this iconic creature are L-shaped eyes, flame eyebrows, toothless gums, and a hand-paw motif used to indicate limbs. This basalt sculpture of an Olmec dragon has a reptilian or amphibian body and eyes surmounted by flame eyebrows. The nose is suggested by a pair of half-circles, the bifid, or cleft, tongue emerges from a toothless mouth, and its four limbs are barely cut into the stone. As in most of these representations, the dragon is portrayed in a crouching position, with its head pointed upward and its extremities tucked into to the body. Unusual traits, such as the overall rounded shape and the depiction of the lower jaw, make this piece unique. Though usually represented with the body of a crocodile or iguana, this dragon incorporates the image of a toad, an animal that in Olmec art has associations with earth, longevity, and fertility.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Toad
    Olmec
    ca. 800-300 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Olmec
    ca. 1500-400 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mask
    Olmec
    ca. 1500-400 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jar
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 850-1000
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Pendant
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 200-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mask
    Olmec
    ca. 1500-400 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Olmec
    ca. 1500-400 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mask
    Teotihuacán
    ca. 250-550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mask
    Teotihuacán
    ca. 250-550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Shaman Figure
    Colima
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Baby Figure
    Olmec
    ca. 1500-400 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Cap Crest Mask (Idiok Ekpo)
    Ibibio people
    not dated
    eMuseum
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