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Pair of carved ornaments with the Maize God

Maya

Not on view

Often depicted as a vigorous youth, the Maize God can also be shown as spent. In Maya art, closed eyes signify death, and representations of the Maize God’s head are akin to harvested corn cobs. This pair of ornaments originally had tiny inset earspools, likely of jade.

Par de ornamentos labrados con el perfil del dios del maíz
Sur de México, Guatemala, Honduras o Belice
Siglo V al VII
Concha


Aunque al dios del maíz se le suele representar como un joven vigoroso, también se le muestra abatido. Estas cabezas del dios semejan mazorcas ya cosechadas y tienen sus ojos cerrados, lo cual en el arte maya indica la muerte. Originalmente, este par de ornamentos tenía pequeñas orejeras, y es posible que hayan sido de jade.

Pair of carved ornaments with the Maize God, Shell, Maya

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© Dumbarton Oaks, Pre-Columbian Collection, Washington, D.C.