Face Fragment

Face Fragment

600-1000

Mexico, Palenque region(?), Maya

Molded pottery

Overall: 15.5 x 13 x 9 cm (6 1/8 x 5 1/8 x 3 9/16 in.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener 1990.179

Location

not on view

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Fun Fact

G1’s distinctive tooth was perhaps inspired by a 63 million-year-old fossilized shark tooth.

Description

This thick, heavy ceramic face fragment may come from an incensario (incense burner). Several features, including the tau- or T-shaped front teeth, suggest it represents a deity known today only as G1 due to difficulties in translating its Maya name, which is recorded in hieroglyphs. The deity’s meanings are equally elusive, though it seems to be associated with both the sun and water.

See also
Collection: 
AA - Mesoamerica
Department: 
Art of the Americas
Type of artwork: 
Sculpture
Medium: 
Molded pottery
Credit line: 
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener

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