Whistle in the Form of a Male Figure Wearing a Jaguar Mask
Maya
1 of 6
Object Label
Solid and hollow Maya ceramic figurines like these representing men wearing elaborate animal headdresses and masks are common funerary items, found primarily on Jaina Island in Mexico. High social status is indicated by the elaborate regalia and ornaments. The nobleman in the center wears a removable serpent-head headdress decorated with precious quetzal feathers, possibly associating him with the Feathered Serpent deity Kukulcán. The whistle on the left depicts a man wearing a jaguar mask and sacrificial scarf emblematic of the God of the Underworld. The rattle on the right represents a man wearing a bird mask and holding two rattles. His large, feathered back ornament is an attribute of the turkey or vulture. Turkeys (associated with fertility) and vultures (associated with sacrifice) were used as ceremonial offerings.
Caption
Maya. Whistle in the Form of a Male Figure Wearing a Jaguar Mask, 500–850. Ceramic, pigment, 8 x 3 1/2 x 2 in. (20.3 x 8.9 x 5.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift in memory of Frederic Zeller, 2009.2.14. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Whistle in the Form of a Male Figure Wearing a Jaguar Mask
Date
500–850
Medium
Ceramic, pigment
Classification
Dimensions
8 x 3 1/2 x 2 in. (20.3 x 8.9 x 5.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift in memory of Frederic Zeller
Accession Number
2009.2.14
Frequent Art Questions
Tell about these.
These Mayan figurines are hollow and represent men wearing elaborate headdresses in various animal forms, such as a jaguar. These kinds of adornments represent high social status. Additionally, like the whistle you sent before they have musical elements.The man with jaguar headdress is a whistle and the man wearing the bird mask is a rattle. These were common funerary items on Jaina Island in Mexico and likely served a ritual purpose.
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at