Late Classic Period (c. 600–900 CE)
Lowland Maya Region

This finely carved stone sculpture depicts the head of a youthful male figure, possibly a noble or a representation of the Maize God. The figure features slanted eyes, an aquiline nose, and hair tied upward, adorned with a feathered headdress, circular earspools, and a headband. The stepped fringe is particularly notable, a stylistic trait associated with sites along the Usumacinta River (Mexico and Guatemala).

Comparable iconography of the Maize God has been identified at other Maya Lowland sites, most notably in Palenque, Piedras Negras and Copán, suggesting a widespread visual language associated with agricultural fertility and divine rulership.

Height: 43.5 cm
Width: 28 cm

Los Mayas. Edición D.R. 1998 RCS Libri / Conaculta INAH / Maya Editorial Rizoli, NY, 1998.

Shele, Linda; Miller, Mary Ellen: The Blood of kings. Dinasty and Ritual in Maya Art, Kimbell Art Museum, 1986.

Sotheby’s African, Oceanic adn Pre-Columbian Art. NY. 2010. LOT 61 and LOT 62.

1.On loan at the Museo Popol Vuh, Universidad Francisco Marroquín (March 17, 2009 – June 28, 2012)

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

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

4. “TREASURES OF THE MAYA SPIRIT”. Interbanco Art Gallery, Quetzaltenango (September 8 – November 10, 2014)

5. “TREASURES OF THE MAYA SPIRIT THROUGH TIME”. ARTECENTRO Graciela Andrade de Paiz, Historic Center, Guatemala City (May 21 – October 19, 2015)

6. Financiera de Occidente (November 2015 – November 2016)

7. Lobby of Aseguradora Confío (December 2018 – July 3, 2019)

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

9. “MASTERPIECES OF THE PRE-COLUMBIAN ARTIST”. Fundación La Ruta Maya, Guatemala City (November 6, 2024 – May 31, 2025)

10. “THE WORLD TREE” (24th Paiz Art Biennial) within the “SELF-HYBRIDATIONS” exhibition by ORLAN. Spanish Cooperation Training Center, Antigua Guatemala (November 5, 2025 to February 15, 2026). General Curator: Eugenio Viola.

*“Presenting the World of the Maya Artist”. Diario El Quezalteco. Wednesday, August 14, 2013. Page 11.

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

“A Glimpse into the Maya Artist”. Diario El Periódico. Monday, February 11, 2013.