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Plate with dancing Maize God
Not on view
Using rapid brushstrokes, pottery painters from the region around Uaxactun and Tikal, important cities in the Petén region, created lively portraits of the dancing Maize God. Elements of the dancer’s costume swing as the figure twists and swirls, perhaps evoking maize stalks waving in the breeze. Dozens of similarly decorated plates are known, attesting to the popularity of this design. The signs in the encircling band are decorative, unreadable imitations of writing.
Plato con el dios del maíz bailando
Entierro A3, Estructura A-1, Uaxactún, Guatemala
Siglo VII al IX
Cerámica, pigmento
Con pinceladas rápidas, los pintores de las regiones de Uaxactún y Tikal crearon retratos vívidos del dios del maíz bailando. Al alzarse con el movimiento, las prendas de la figura que gira y se mueve evocan las matas del maíz agitadas por el viento. Se conocen docenas de platos semejantes, lo cual confirma la popularidad del diseño. Los signos entre los círculos que encierran el dibujo arremedan la escritura pero no dicen nada, son imitaciones meramente decorativas.
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