Figurine with Back Rack

Description

Maya figurines—made by hand, with molds, or sometimes a combination of the two techniques—represent a wide range of human, animals, and supernatural beings. This example is a male with an enormous backrack, an article of ceremonial attire worn by dancers and other courtly personnel. Figurines have been found in tombs and offerings but also in household contexts.

Provenance

Wolfgang Paalen, sold? to Black Tulip Galleries, Inc., Dallas, TX (1946?-before 1958); (Black Tulip Galleries, Inc., Dallas, TX, 1958, sold to James C. and Florence C. Gruener) (?-1958); James C. [1903-1990] and Florence C. [1908-1982] Gruener, Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (1958-1990); The Cleveland Museum of Art (1990)

Figurine with Back Rack

[]

300–900 CE

Accession Number

1990.172

Medium

molded and modeled pottery with traces of pigment

Dimensions

Overall: 23.2 x 10.6 x 7.5 cm (9 1/8 x 4 3/16 x 2 15/16 in.)

Classification

Sculpture

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener