Unknown Maya artist, Possibly Jaina Island, Campeche region, Mexico. Standing Warrior Figurine, 700–900 CE. Ceramic with pigment applied after firing, 8 ½ x 4 x 3 ½ inches. Denver Art Museum Collection: Gift of May D. & F. Co. in honor of David Touff, 1969.308.

height: 8.5 in, 21.5900 cm; width: 4 in, 10.1600 cm; depth: 3.5 in, 8.8900 cm

Mayer Center, Arts of the Ancient Americas

Arts of the Ancient Americas

This object is currently on view

Warrior Figurine
Maya
About A.D. 600–900
Mexico, Campeche coast, Jaina Island
Earthenware with colored pigments
Gift of May D&F Company in honor of David Touff, 1969.308

Beautifully detailed ceramic figurines were often deposited as tomb offerings on Jaina Island, off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.  This example has a hand-modeled body and costume.  The face was probably made in a mold, with details (such as the facial tattooing or scarification) added by hand.  On one side of the face is a deity profile, on the other, a twisted cord or mat motif.  Both are symbols of rulership, perhaps indicating that the warrior portrayed by the figurine was a member of a royal family, or a courtier.

Collection of Morton D. May [1914-1983], St. Louis; (May-D&F), Denver, CO (part of May Department Stores Company), St. Louis, MO.; Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 1969

• "The Blood of Kings: Dynasty and Ritual in Maya Art" — Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, 5/17/1986 - 8/24/1986
• Cleveland Museum of Art, 8/8/1986 - 12/14/1986
• "Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya", National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. 4/4/2004 - 7/25/2004
• Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, California Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, 9/4/2004 - 1/2/2005
• "Grand Gestures: Dance Drama Masquerade"—Denver Art Museum, [12/13/2015 - 12/11/2016]