ANCIENT CHINA · ANCIENT MAYA · MÉRIDA, YUCATÁN
Archaic Chinese jades and early Buddhist sculpture, shown in dialogue with the ancient art of Mexico. Open by appointment.
CURRENT EXHIBITION
Monster Masks: China and the Maya
A pairing of archaic Chinese jades carved with monster-mask motifs alongside photographs of god masks from the Puuc ruins of Yucatán — illustrating the unexpected similarities between two cultures separated by thousands of miles and a thousand years.
FROM THE COLLECTION
ARCHAIC JADES
Rectangular Plaque Pendant
Jade, China, 475–221 B.C. · L. 4 in.
Carved Bi Disk
Jade, China, 400–200 B.C. · Diam. 4 in.
Ornamented Bead
Jade, China, 475–221 B.C. · L. 2⅛ in.
Owl Mask Ornament
Jade, China, 1600–1046 B.C. · L. 2⅛ in.
Dragon Pendant
Jade, China, ca. 3rd century B.C. · L. 4¾ in.
Monster Mask Sash Buckle
Jade, China, 25–220 A.D. · H. 3⅛ in.
Fox God
Jade, China or Mongolia, Neolithic period, 4700–2920 B.C. · H. 4 in.
Shaman Transforming Into Bear
Jade, China, 1046–771 B.C. · H. 2 in.
Monster Mask Pendant
Jade, China, 475–221 B.C. · 1.75 × 2.12 in.
BUDDHIST SCULPTURE
Standing Bodhisattva
Limestone, China, 550–577 A.D. · H. 14¼ in.
Seated Buddha on Lotus Throne
Marble, China, 8th century A.D. · H. 23 in.
Standing Buddha
Limestone, China, 550–577 A.D. · 95 × 26 × 16 cm
Buddha with Halo
Limestone, China, 550–577 A.D. · 73 × 30 × 15 cm
Standing Bodhisattva (Painted)
Marble, China, 7th–8th century A.D. · 40 × 13 × 9 cm
Buddha Head with Mustache
Marble, China, 550–577 A.D. · 36 × 17 × 17 cm
For more information on any piece, click here or send an email inquiry.
THE DEALER
About Tom Swope
Tom Swope, a graduate of Harvard College, began his career in New York in the 1980s working for the dealer Matthias Komor, where he learned the trade of buying and selling ancient art. He went on to Robert Miller Gallery, dealing in classical antiquities while immersed in the contemporary art world at its highest level. With backing from Asher Edelman, he opened his own gallery, Daedalus, before eventually setting out on his own as a private dealer. He later moved to Hudson, New York, opening a public gallery there, in the years his focus shifted from Greek and Roman antiquities to early Chinese Buddhist sculpture and archaic Chinese jades. In 2019, he relocated the gallery to Mérida, where it continues today.
VISIT
The gallery is open by appointment
Located in the historic city of Mérida, in the Barrio of La Ermita. Please WhatsApp or email to make an appointment.