Mayan Miniature Mask - PF.2845,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 1.625" (4.1cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium:  More »

Mayan Miniature Mask - PF.2845,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 1.625" (4.1cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Mayan Carved Celt - PF.3295,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.

Mayan Carved Celt - PF.3295,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mayan Carved Celt - PF.3296,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.

Mayan Carved Celt - PF.3296,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mayan Terracotta Mask - PF.3468,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Terracotta. The  More »

Mayan Terracotta Mask - PF.3468,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Terracotta. The summit of the classical age in Ancient Mesoamerica was reached by the Maya in their great temple cities. In those temple cities, great artistic expressions such as murals and sculptures flourished. It is during this classical period in which artists refined their skills to represent the human form and representations of their gods. Mayan figures very well depict the distinct Mayan physical characteristics such as the high cheekbones, fleshy and hooked nose, heavy lidded eyes, and fleshy lips. This remarkably sculpted Mayan mask displays such attributes. The exquisite mask is a depiction of a man's face, possibly a representation of a priest or a deity wearing large earspools. The high cheekbones accentuate the depth of the heavy lidded eyes, and the slightly curving hooked nose creates a perfect symmetry of the face. The fleshy mouth is open to reveal the indication of the teeth or the tongue. Skillfully carved, the artist managed to portray a realistic face-the sculpture's furrowed eyebrows and slightly curled upper lip evoke strong character and dramatic emotion to life. Small in scale, this mask was probably used in rituals/ceremonies or was worn as a pectoral or a bodily adornment. As we look into the mask, we are amazed to see how the artist captured such exquisite beauty and emotion in a small mask. Whether the mask represent a deity or a respected dignitary in the Mayan society, his poignant essence comes through strongly just as it did more than a thousand years ago.   « Less

Mayan Terracotta Mask with Skull Features - PF.3554,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 6 th Century AD to 9 th Century AD,Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high,Collection:  More »

Mayan Terracotta Mask with Skull Features - PF.3554,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 6 th Century AD to 9 th Century AD,Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Terracotta. The summit of the classical age in Ancient Mesoamerica was reached by the Maya in their great temple cities. In those temple cities, great artistic expressions such as murals and sculptures flourished. It is during this classical period in which artists refined their skills to represent human form and deities. Used in various rituals and ceremonies, their art embodied rich symbolism. This remarkably sculpted terracotta mask reveals Mayan attributes and symbolism in a dramatic manner. Its beige color of the surface suggesting the color of human bone, the mask carries an impressionable expression. The furrowing eyebrows, bulging eyes in deep eye-sockets, and the high cheekbones accentuated by the open mouth showing teeth expresses the idea of death and the underworld. Perhaps it represents life and death, as ancient Mesoamericans believed in rebirth after death. Two small holes are located on the top of the mask for its functional use; perhaps the mask was used in funerary rituals or was placed on the face of the deceased. Not only does the mask's expressive power delight our eyes but it also affects our emotions.   « Less

Mayan Half Skull/Half Face Mask - PF.3562,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 6 th Century AD to 9 th Century AD,Dimensions: 7.75" (19.7cm) high x 7.125" (18.1cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Mayan Half Skull/Half Face Mask - PF.3562,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 6 th Century AD to 9 th Century AD,Dimensions: 7.75" (19.7cm) high x 7.125" (18.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Terracotta. The Maya in their great temple cities reached the summit of the classical age in ancient Mesoamerica. In those temple cities, great artistic expressions such as murals and sculptures flourished. It is during this classical period in which artists refined their skills to represent the human forms, deities, and other symbolic art works. Used in various rituals and ceremonies, their art embodied rich symbolism, laden with complex meanings, which largely remain esoteric. A fine example of the magnificent Mayan sculpture, this terracotta mask depicts a dramatic image of life and death- -half of the face in flesh and the other half in the skull. The flesh part of the face shows an open eye and an open mouth revealing teeth. The other half shows a skull with a hollow eye socket. Moreover, the mask also has earspools and small, round holes for its functional use. Ancient Meso-Americans firmly believed in life, death, rebirth, and afterlife. Even after death, they believed that people experience rebirth following their journey through the underworld. Accepting the natural cycle of human life, the ancient Mayans were not afraid to confront the concept of death. Incorporated in their daily life and rituals, the idea of life and death are often expressed in various art forms. Possibly used in ritual performances, this magnificent mask grabs our attention in an instant. As we look into the artwork, we are invited to confront the inevitable idea of life and death, and we are reminded of an ancient culture and its images that flourished hundreds of years ago.   « Less

Mayan Marble Mask - PF.4444,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 16.5" (41.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Marble. Just as in our  More »

Mayan Marble Mask - PF.4444,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 16.5" (41.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Marble. Just as in our carnival and Mardi Gras the mask in Ancient Mexico was an object of rich symbolism. It was used to hide the identity of the wearer and to frighten off evil spirits. This is why the jaguar's face was often used. It is an animal feared and respected in the real world, and of such power as to be effective in confronting forces of the spirit realm. This mask is wonderfully an expressive, with its sharp fangs exposed, intense eyes and pointed ear. The exquisite amber shade of the stone highlights the otherworldly aspect. Holes in the upper corners may have been intended for the mask to be hung. Wherever it next hangs it will surely offer protection and an aura of mystery.   « Less

Mayan Stone Hacha - PF.4499,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD,Dimensions: 10.75" (27.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.

Mayan Stone Hacha - PF.4499,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD,Dimensions: 10.75" (27.3cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.   « Less

Mayan Stone Mask - PF.4753,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone. The afterlife and the  More »

Mayan Stone Mask - PF.4753,Origin: Guatemala,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone. The afterlife and the spirits who roamed its nether regions were very real to the Maya. They believed the non-physical world could affect the physical, and in order to communicate between the two realms a transformation process was necessary. Masks were an important element in this transformation, acting as a 'medium' between the person wearing the mask and the spirit who would 'become' the mask during ritual ceremonies. Disguise was another function of the mask by hiding the wearer's identity after death to confuse unwanted spirits, or attract benevolent ones. This extraordinary and rare mask appears to be two things at once-- a cover for the face of the deceased, or perhaps hung on an effigy; and a representation of someone as an actual portrait. The mask's expression seems as if it is seeing wonders beyond our normal awareness. The tight fitting cap that curves around the forehead may have been like those actually worn by certain individuals. A mosaic mask of a Maya nobleman was found in Tikal wearing a turtle headdress with a similar beak protrusion. The turtle was associated with aspects of the solar system, and may have been directly connected with shaman/priests who studied the stars and planets as part of their divination practices. Though much of Maya art is understood, there are still objects that continue to mystify and intrigue us. This mysterious mask is just such an object; a gift from the past more awe-inspiring than when it was carved hundreds of years ago.   « Less

Mayan Stone Hacha - PF.4757,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD,Dimensions: 11" (27.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.

Mayan Stone Hacha - PF.4757,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD,Dimensions: 11" (27.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Stone.   « Less