back to overview
 
239 photos
Censer, upper part of a vessel in which fragrant resin was burnt. The incense issued from the mouth of the human head. From Amatitlan-Lake, Guatemala. Sacrificial vessels were thrown into the lake during ceremonies. Clay with paint (250-600 CE). Height 70 cm. Inv. 216
#12010340

Censer, upper part of a vessel in which fragrant resin was burnt. The incense i...

Censer, the vessel for the fragrant resin hidden behind the large headgear of the male figure. The costume is that of a priest or high-ranking personality: ear- and noseplugs, armrings and necklace. Clay and paint (250-600 CE). Height 35 cm. Inv. 4371
#12010341

Censer, the vessel for the fragrant resin hidden behind the large headgear of th...

Censer, in the form of a corpulent dignitary; from tomb 22, Uaxactun, El Peten, Guatemala. The incense issued from eyes, nose and mouth. Clay (250-600 CE) Height 22.9 cm Inv. 214 a,b
#12010342

Censer, in the form of a corpulent dignitary; from tomb 22, Uaxactun, El Pe...

Top of a censer, figure of a dignitary, probably ruler of Copan, Honduras. The elaborate headdress and the decorations worn over the mouth (a symbol of self- mortification) are typical of the Kings of Copan. Clay, paint (7th), 105 cm. From Copan, Structure XXXVII-4
#12010343

Top of a censer, figure of a dignitary, probably ruler of Copan, Honduras. The...

Top of a censer from the same tomb site as 12-01-03/43. One of 11 censer figures "watching" tomb XXXVII-4, perhaps representing ancestors. Wide turban-like headdress, earplugs, pectoral. Clay,paint (7th), 58 cm. From Copan, Structure 26, in front of tomb XXXVII-4
#12010344

Top of a censer from the same tomb site as 12-01-03/43. One of 11 censer figures...

Head of a prince, part of a more than life-size statue, from the roof of the "Temple of Meditation", Copan. These "roof-figures" represent ancestors, placed at the highest level of the temple. Volcanic limestone (695-738 CE). Height 64 cm. Inv. CPN-244
#12010345

Head of a prince, part of a more than life-size statue, from the roof of the "Te...

Ceremonial adze, representing the Olmec "God I" with his typical flaming eyebrows. Olmec art was a major influence on early Maya art. Green jadeite (1200-800 BCE). Height 29.5 cm. Inv. St. 536
#12010346

Ceremonial adze, representing the Olmec "God I" with his typical flaming...

Olmec pectoral. The face shows the full-lipped mouth with drawn-down corners typical of Olmec portraits. Jade (900-400 BCE). Height 10.5 cm Inv. 1929.7.12.1
#12010347

Olmec pectoral. The face shows the full-lipped mouth with drawn-down corners...

Olmec stone mask, so-called "Raphael Mask". The pierced forehead and ears probably for suspension of the mask as a pectoral. Diorite (900-400 BCE). Height 34 cm. Inv. 1942-3-7-1
#12010348

Olmec stone mask, so-called "Raphael Mask". The pierced forehead and...

Greenstone mask of the Aztec god Xipe Totec, the "Flayed God".The mask, with a double line for mouth and eyes, symbolizes a spring ritual in which a prisoner was flayed and an Aztec warrior wore his skin until it rotted away. 15th. Height 21.5 cm. Inv. 12415
#12010349

Greenstone mask of the Aztec god Xipe Totec, the "Flayed God".The mask, w...

Portrait mask of the Sun God from the Sun Temple at Palenque, Mexico. The mask was originally placed on the outer wall of the cella, but was later ritually buried under the temple. Stucco, paint (600-900 CE). Height 21 cm. Inv. 10-222284
#12010350

Portrait mask of the Sun God from the Sun Temple at Palenque, Mexico. The ma...

Portrait of an old man, his face a grimace of pain, with sunken eyes and bad teeth. From Palenque, Rio Usumacinta, Mexico-Guatemala. 600-900 CE Stucco (600-900 CE). Height 23 cm. Inv. SL XXXVIII Loan to the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum
#12010351

Portrait of an old man, his face a grimace of pain, with sunken eyes and bad...