Standing Ruler Figurine

600–800 CE
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Ceramic figurines such as this one record the elaborate and burdensome regalia of Maya rulers. The belt ornament in the shape of a head with three celts is similar to the set of plaques on view here. Maya blue pigment—a combination of indigo and palygorskite, a type of clay—covers the figurine, evoking the green of the quetzal feathers in the headdress and of the jade pectorals, earrings, and belt ornaments. Holding a shield in his left hand, this ruler may be celebrating a military victory or reenacting a triumph.



Las figurillas de cerámica como esta muestran el suntuoso y pesado vestuario de los gobernantes mayas. Un ornamento de jade para cinturón tiene forma de cabeza humana combinada con tres hachas. Este gobernante que sostiene un escudo en su mano izquierda probablemente esté celebrando una victoria militar o recreando una victoria pasada. La figurilla está pintada con Azul Maya, un pigmento compuesto por una combinación de índigo y palygorskita (un tipo de arcilla) evocando así el verde de las plumas de quetzal, tanto en el tocado como en los pectorales de jade, las orejeras y los ornamentos para cinturón.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Standing Ruler Figurine
  • Date: 600–800 CE
  • Geography: Guatemala
  • Culture: Maya
  • Medium: Ceramic, pigment
  • Dimensions: H. 9 3/8 × W. 3 7/8 × D. 3 7/8 in. (23.8 × 9.9 × 9.8 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas (AP 1984.03)
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing