Maya, Jaina Island, Campeche, Mexico
500–850 AD
Mold-made clay with white slip
Height 6 inches (15.2 cm), width 5½ inches (14 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Oceanside, California, prior to 1970
This white-slipped figural rattle depicts a seated deity or ritual performer wearing an elaborate headdress with scrolled and feathered elements rising to one side. The face is rendered with a wide open mouth in a grimacing expression, heavy brow, and prominent teeth, features associated in Jaina figural ceramics with supernatural beings and underworld deities. The chest is covered with densely modeled relief ornament including pectoral jewelry and garment details.
The white slip coating is well preserved and covers the entire surface, giving the figure a pale, chalky appearance distinct from unslipped terracotta examples. Jaina Island figural ceramics of this quality were placed as tomb offerings with elite individuals and are among the primary sources for Classic Maya iconography of costume and supernatural identity. The Oceanside, California provenance prior to 1970 establishes collection before the UNESCO Convention benchmark.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Maya, Jaina Island, Campeche, Mexico
500–850 AD
Mold-made clay with white slip
Height 6 inches (15.2 cm), width 5½ inches (14 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Oceanside, California, prior to 1970
This white-slipped figural rattle depicts a seated deity or ritual performer wearing an elaborate headdress with scrolled and feathered elements rising to one side. The face is rendered with a wide open mouth in a grimacing expression, heavy brow, and prominent teeth, features associated in Jaina figural ceramics with supernatural beings and underworld deities. The chest is covered with densely modeled relief ornament including pectoral jewelry and garment details.
The white slip coating is well preserved and covers the entire surface, giving the figure a pale, chalky appearance distinct from unslipped terracotta examples. Jaina Island figural ceramics of this quality were placed as tomb offerings with elite individuals and are among the primary sources for Classic Maya iconography of costume and supernatural identity. The Oceanside, California provenance prior to 1970 establishes collection before the UNESCO Convention benchmark.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
