The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 18, 2024

Shell with Seated Noble

Shell with Seated Noble

600–900
Overall: 16.6 x 7.9 x 3.5 cm (6 9/16 x 3 1/8 x 1 3/8 in.)

Did You Know?

A Maya nobleman smokes a cigar as he reaches toward a shell with a serpent.

Description

This plaque, perhaps meant to be held in the hand for close viewing, is delicately incised with a ruler who leans toward a serpent-headed conch shell at the lower left. The lord, who smokes a cigar, is simply dressed in a loincloth; a band of body paint or tattoos appears on his chest.
  • ?-1965
    Emery May Holden Norweb [1895-1984] and Raymond Henry Norweb [1894-1983], Cleveland OH, 1965, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1965
    The Cleveland Museum of Art
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    Hildesheim, Germany: Roemer und Pelizaeus Museum; June 14- December 6, 1992. Vienna, Ausria: Kunstlerhaus; January 31- June 27, 1993. Cologne, Germany: Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum; February 18- May 15, 1994. "The World of the Maya." cat. no. 99, repr.p. 421.
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  • {{cite web|title=Shell with Seated Noble|url=false|author=|year=600–900|access-date=18 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1965.550