Maya. <em>Seated Figure</em>, ca. C.E. 550-850. Shell, 3 1/2 x 3in. (8.9 x 7.6cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Guennol Collection, 2002.33. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.33a-b_front_PS2.jpg)

Maya. Seated Figure, ca. C.E. 550-850. Shell, 3 1/2 x 3in. (8.9 x 7.6cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Guennol Collection, 2002.33. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.33a-b_front_PS2.jpg)

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Seated Figure

Arts of the Americas

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

CULTURE Maya

MEDIUM Shell

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

Possible place made: Guatemala
Place made: Mexico

DATES ca. C.E. 550-850

PERIOD Classical Period

DIMENSIONS 3 1/2 x 3in. (8.9 x 7.6cm) Box: 2 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 6 1/4 in. (6.4 x 13.3 x 15.9 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas

ACCESSION NUMBER 2002.33

CREDIT LINE Gift of The Guennol Collection

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Carved and incised shell (possibly a conch) plaque of a seated figure in silhouette, probably a Maya lord mounted on a Plexiglas base. A bar with seven glyphs rests on his right leg. It has been suggested that picture plaques such as these may have been presented to high-status visitors to Maya domains as prestige items that reinforced political alliances. Or they may have been burial items placed in the tomb of the depicted ruler. The first two glyphs read "His Pendant", and probably the ruler's name follows. Drilled depressions at the ear and chest held inlays and the figure also once wore a detachable headdress. Condition: There is a clean break on the torso, part of which is lost. Parts of the proper left leg and the head of headdress are lost. Areas at top and bottom of glyph column are darkened, as is the area on the bottom, proper right of the figure.

EXHIBITIONS

Diverse Works: Director's Choice, 1997-2015

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

CAPTION Maya. Seated Figure, ca. C.E. 550-850. Shell, 3 1/2 x 3in. (8.9 x 7.6cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Guennol Collection, 2002.33. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.33a-b_front_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE front, 2002.33a-b_front_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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