Take a closer look at the details of a colorful relief panel from La Pasadita that provides a glimpse into the power and pageantry of the royal courts of the ancient Maya. Dynamic tracing in this animation helps reveal the details in the iconography: a significant political scene where the ruler of Yaxchilán is receiving tribute from the lord of La Pasadita and a merchant. In a rare gesture in the arts of the ancient Americas, an inscription tells us the name of the artist who carved the panel: Chakalte’.
Power and Pageantry in the Royal Courts of the Maya
Take a closer look at the details of a colorful relief panel from La Pasadita.
3 min. watch
Contributors
Joanne Pillsbury, Andrall E. Pearson Curator of Arts of the Ancient Americas
Laura Filloy Nadal, Curator, Arts of the Ancient Americas
Hugo C. Ikehara-Tsukayama, Senior Research Associate, Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
Dawn Kriss, Conservator
Teresa Jimenez-Millas, Associate Conservator
Patricia Sarro, Consultant, Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
Max Alegria, Adrienne Arsht Intern, Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
David Rhoads, Senior Collections Manager
Special Thanks: Simon Martin, Claudia Brittenham, Alison Tretter, Julie Turgeon, Doris Zhao
Production Company: Fgreat Studio
Illustration: Mark Van Stone
Director and Managing Producer: Mandy Kritzeck
3D Imaging: Xue Chen and Chris Heins
Associate Producer: Hannah Chen
Chief Digital Officer: Douglas Hegley
Executive Producer: Sarah Wambold
Studio Manager: Erin Stella
Art Mentioned
Chakalte'
770 CE
More from The Met
The artist Wendy Red Star asserts her own identity by reclaiming the identities of Indigenous leaders in the 1880 Crow Peace Delegation.
Kathryn Calley Galitz
October 6
Celebrate Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month with a selection of artworks recommended by the Membership team.
Membership Team
September 28
Audio
Florencio Delgado Espinoza takes a close look at a large La Tolita-Tumaco figurine depicting an elder, also called a cacique, in a seated position.
December 4, 2025