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)
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
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener