Yoke
- Culture
- Classic Veracruz
- Period
- Late Classic period, 600–909
- Date
- c.600–909
- Material
- Stone
- Classification
- Stone & mineral, tools & equipment
- Collection
- Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 114
- Dimensions
- 11 1/2 x 8 3/16 x 14 1/2 x 15 3/16 in. (29.2 x 20.8 x 36.8 x 38.5 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Morton D. May
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 86:1980
NOTES
This intricately carved yugo (or yoke) would have been worn around the waist of a high-ranking noble in ancient Veracruz. The yoke, with the hacha and palma, form a trio of objects associated with the Mesoamerican ballgame. Wooden or leather yokes were worn around the waist in order to protect players from the impact of the heavy rubber ball. Stone versions like this may have served as trophies or symbols of specific political or religious positions. A seated figure with a bird-like mask appears at the front of the yoke. It’s outstretched left arm folds onto the yoke’s top side, and bird-like heads mark each end. Elaborate scrollwork undulates over and around the yoke’s surface, creating a complex yet elegant and harmonious image.
Provenance
1950s-60s - 1969
George Pepper (1913–1969), Mexico City, Mexico [1]
1969 - 1970
Jeanette Pepper (1918–2016), Los Angeles, CA, USA, by inheritance [2]
1970 - 1980
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Jeanette Pepper, through agent Everett Rassiga (1922–2003) [3]
1980 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [4]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated February 10, 1970 from Everett Rassiga Inc. to Morton D. May records May's purchase of the Pepper Collection from Jeanette Pepper, widow of George Pepper. Although it is not known exactly when Pepper acquired this object, he is not known to have collected Ancient American art until he lived in Mexico City, his residence from 1951 until his death in 1969 [SLAM document files].
[2] Correspondence betwen the Saint Louis Art Museum and Margot Pepper confirms that Jeanette Pepper inherited her husband's collection upon his death [email correspondence dated July 1, 2009, SLAM document files].
[3] A letter dated February 11, 1970 from Everett Rassiga to Morton D. May indicates Rassiga acted as May's agent in the purchase of the Pepper Collection. An invoice from Everett Rassiga, Inc. in New York, NY dated February 10, 1970 records the purchase of the Pepper Collection from Jeanette Pepper, widow of George Pepper [letter and invoice in May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[4] A letter dated April 3, 1980 from Morton D. May to John Peters MacCarthy, president of the Board of Commissioners, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, June 6, 1980.
George Pepper (1913–1969), Mexico City, Mexico [1]
1969 - 1970
Jeanette Pepper (1918–2016), Los Angeles, CA, USA, by inheritance [2]
1970 - 1980
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Jeanette Pepper, through agent Everett Rassiga (1922–2003) [3]
1980 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [4]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated February 10, 1970 from Everett Rassiga Inc. to Morton D. May records May's purchase of the Pepper Collection from Jeanette Pepper, widow of George Pepper. Although it is not known exactly when Pepper acquired this object, he is not known to have collected Ancient American art until he lived in Mexico City, his residence from 1951 until his death in 1969 [SLAM document files].
[2] Correspondence betwen the Saint Louis Art Museum and Margot Pepper confirms that Jeanette Pepper inherited her husband's collection upon his death [email correspondence dated July 1, 2009, SLAM document files].
[3] A letter dated February 11, 1970 from Everett Rassiga to Morton D. May indicates Rassiga acted as May's agent in the purchase of the Pepper Collection. An invoice from Everett Rassiga, Inc. in New York, NY dated February 10, 1970 records the purchase of the Pepper Collection from Jeanette Pepper, widow of George Pepper [letter and invoice in May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[4] A letter dated April 3, 1980 from Morton D. May to John Peters MacCarthy, president of the Board of Commissioners, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, June 6, 1980.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.