01 Photograph Gallery

02 Object Information

Description

Anthropomorphic mold for the manufacture of clay figurines, with the image of an Ahaw (ruler, Lord or noble man), sitting with his legs crossed and hands on his knees.

He wears a serpent headdress with open jaws, a diadem with plaques on his forehead and long feathers, as well as a feather cape with a breastplate. The cape has ahaw-symbol insignias on the shoulders and on the pectoral hanging in front. His jewelry consists of a necklace with spherical beads, round earflares, and three-strand wristbands with square beads.

*Surroundings of Cobán, Alta Verapaz

Period

CLASSIC (150/200 A.D.-900 A.D.) Late Classic (650-900 AD).

Provenance

Guatemalan Highlands

Medium / Material

Clay

Technique

Grooving, Incised, Modeled, Molded, Worked

Dimensions

Length: 30 cm
Width: 16.5 cm

03 References and Exhibitions

References to similar objects

Molds in custody of La Ruta Maya Foundation

Molds in custody of the Aragón Maya Museum, Cobán, Alta Verapaz

Exhibitions

1. Object displayed in the Príncipe Maya Museum (Cobán, Alta Verapaz) until the collection was transferred to La Ruta Maya Foundation in October 2010.

2. “THE WORLD OF THE MAYAN ARTIST.” Spanish Cooperation Training Center. Antigua Guatemala (February 3 – June 16, 2013)

3. “THE WORLD OF THE MAYAN ARTIST.” Casa N’oj Cultural Center, Quetzaltenango (August 12- September 6, 2013).

4. “THE IMAGES OF THE MAYAN GODS IN THE 16TH CENTURY: The Encounter of Two Worlds.” Spanish Cooperation Training Center, Antigua Guatemala (July 16, 2019- March 1, 2020)

5. “MAYA: THE GREAT JAGUAR RISES” (2nd. Tour) Kansas City Union Station (August 2022-March, 2023) and California Science Center (April-September, 2023)

6. “MASTERWORKS BY THE PRE-COLUMBIAN ARTIST.” La Ruta Maya Foundation, Guatemala City (November 6, 2024 to May 31st, 2025)

Publications

1. “Presentation of the World of the Mayan Artist Exhibition.” El Quetzalteco Newspaper.  Wednesday, August 14, 2013. Page 11.

2. “Pre-Hispanic Culture Shines”. Culture Section. Prensa Libre. Tuesday February 5, 2013. Page 46.

3. “A Look at the Mayan Artist.” El Periódico newspaper. Monday February 11, 2013.

4. Van Stone, Mark and Paul Johnson. 2022. “MAYA MOLD MADE: Virtual Impressions of Ancient Figurine Molds in the Ruta Maya Foundation Collection“. Tlacaélel Press, San Diego, California. 430 pp