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Plaque

Maya

Not on view

Imported from sources in the Motagua River valley of highland Guatemala, jade was the most valued material in Maya lapidary art. Rulers wore magnificent jade jewelry in life, and these ornaments accompanied them in death. The objects exhibited here were part of an elaborate belt, with three celts, or axe- shaped implements, hanging from a broad perforated bead.


Placa
Estructura F8-1, El Zotz, Guatemala
Siglo IV
Jade

El jade era el material más preciado en el arte lapidario maya y se obtenía del valle del río Motagua en el altiplano guatemalteco. Los gobernantes se ataviaban con magníficos adornos en vida, y al morir, se les enterraba con sus joyas. Estos objetos formaron parte de un complejo cinturón con tres celtas (piezas en forma de hachuela) que colgaban de una cuenta perforada.

Plaque, Jade, Maya

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© Authorized reproduction Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes de Guatemala; Museo de Arqueología y Etnología, photo by Jorge Perez de Lara