01 Photograph Gallery

02 Object Information

Description

Conical effigy lid with handle in the shape of a quetzal’s head and back. Manufactures with modeling and appliqué techniques. The following traits were made in detail: claws on the front, head, crest, eyes, wings and tail. The open beak with a small clay ball represents the aguacatillo fruit, its natural food.

Traces of red paint on the cover and blue paint color the bird’s plumage.

Possibly from the region of Quiché and Las Verapaces (Alta and Baja Verapaz).

Period

POSTCLASSIC (AD 900-1520) Early Postclassic (900-1200 AD)

Provenance

Guatemalan Highlands

Medium / Material

Clay

Technique

Appliqué / application, Modeled, Painting

Dimensions

Height: 10 cm
Maximum diameter: 7.7 cm

03 References and Exhibitions

References to similar objects

This lid pairs with cover No. 1.2.144.0324 in the custody of La Ruta Maya Foundation.

Exhibitions

1. “MAYAN ART AND NATURE THROUGH TIME.” “David J. Guzmán” National Museum of Anthropology, El Salvador (February 26- May 24, 2009)

2. “EL PAABANC: Reaffirming our beliefs.” CC La Pradera, zone 10, Guatemala (September 8 to 22, 2011)

3. “FAUNA AND FLORA OF THE MAYAN WORLD”. ArteCentro “Graciela Andrade de Paiz”. Historic District, Guatemala City (February 28–June 16, 2013)

4. “FAUNA OF THE MAYAN WORLD”. Interbanco art gallery. Quetzaltenango (September 10 – October 31, 2013)

5. “PRE-COLUMBIAN BIODIVERSITY, THE MYSTERIES OF THE JUNGLE. Spanish Cooperation Training Center, Antigua Guatemala (August 17, 2017- February 25, 2018)

6. Financiera de Occidente (February to December 2018)

7.”PRE-COLUMBIAN BIODIVERSITY, THE MYSTERIES OF THE JUNGLE (new version). Spanish Cooperation Training Center, Antigua Guatemala (May 18, 2023 to June 6, 2024)

Publications

Exhibition Catalog “Mayan Art and Nature Through Time.” 2009. Fundación Empresarial para la Acción Social (FUNDEMAS). Antiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador Page 51.

“Mayan Art in El Salvador.” Prensa Libre newspaper, Cultural Section. Thursday March 3, 2009.

“Testimony in Stone and Clay. The Natural Environment is Reflected in the Flora and Fauna in the Mayan World Exhibition.”  Prensa Libre newspaper, Cultural Section. Wednesday April 3, 2013. Page 38.

“Fauna of the Mayan World Exhibition, inaugurated.” XelaGuía. Digital media. April 2013.

“Pre-Columbian Fauna; In their struggle for subsistence, the ancestors were not alone.” Revista D magazine. Prensa Libre newspaper. February 10, 2013. Pages 18 – 21.