Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Censer stand
Not on view
Bowls of burning resins were once placed on top of these elaborate stands, which portray gods with both human and animal features wearing tall headdresses of stacked masks. During religious rituals, gods rested on these censer stands, which were thought of as their embodiments. The smoke of burning incense, together with food and drink, prayer, music, and dance were offered to nourish the gods, appease them, and encourage them to grant their favors to devotees.
Portaincensario
Probablemente Palenque, Chiapas, México
ca. 690-720 d. C.
Cerámica con rastros de pigmento
Los portaincensarios se consideraban personificaciones de los dioses. Estos ejemplares presentan rostros de deidades con rasgos humanos y animales. Llevan tocados altos conformados por máscaras apiladas. La parte superior de los portaincensarios contenía un cuenco donde se quemaba resina durante los ritos religiosos, actos en los que los devotos ofrecían a los dioses el humo del incienso, ofrendas de comida, plegarias, música y danzas para alimentarlos, honrarlos y pedirles favores.
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