The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 26, 2024

Warrior Figurine with Shield

Warrior Figurine with Shield

600–900
molded and modeled pottery with traces of pigment
Overall: 17.3 x 9.2 x 7.9 cm (6 13/16 x 3 5/8 x 3 1/8 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener 1990.178
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

Elaborate facial tattoos and a bivalve pendent identify this warrior as a sajal, a second-tier noble.

Description

Maya figurines portray a wide range of human, animals, and supernatural beings. This example represents a kneeling warrior who holds a rectangular shield and wears elaborate ornaments, including huge ear spools. The expressive, delicate head was made in a mold; the body was hand modeled.
  • ?-1961
    (Stendahl Art Galleries, Los Angeles, CA, 1961, sold to James C. and Florence C. Gruener)
    1961-1990
    James C. [1903-1990] and Florence C. [1908-1982] Gruener, Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1990
    The Cleveland Museum of Art
  • Young-Sánchez, Margaret. "The Gruener Collection of Pre-Columbian Art." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 79, no. 7 (1992): 234-75. Referenced: cat. no. 86, p. 272, Reproduced: fig 86, p. 257 www.jstor.org
  • The Gruener Collection of Pre-Columbian Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 4-November 29, 1992).
  • {{cite web|title=Warrior Figurine with Shield|url=false|author=|year=600–900|access-date=26 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1990.178