jade

Perpetuating the legacy of the ancient Maya, Ruben and Gilda Perez depicts a canoe journey on a slab of dark green jade. Deities paddle the boat that carries the maize god, a spider monkey, dog, parrot and iguana with human attributes. The original image is etched into bone discovered at burial 166 in Tikal, and is on there display at the Morley Museum.

The Guatemalan artisans display the plaque on a black pinewood base.

Wearing the skin of a jaguar, a young man dances to the sound of an unseen drum as he imitates the movements of the lithe jungle cat. Ruben and Gilda Perez depicts an image from a vase discovered at Altar de Sacrificios, an ancient Maya site locate upriver from Yaxchilan. An offering in Burial 96, the original polychrome vase is crafted of terracotta and on display at Guatemala's Museum of Anthropology and History.

The Guatemalan artisans etch the intricate motifs into natural jade and display the plaque on a black pinewood base.

Ancient Maya craftspeople were masters at the delicate art of relief sculptures in stucco. Ruben and Gilda Perez utilize the material to create a beautiful mask with jade inlay. Faithfully reproducing an archaeological piece from Palenque, they depict the sun god, an image buried in the tomb of Pacal, or "Shield Jaguar." The king is interred beneath the Temple of the Inscriptions, and this jade mask is a one of the many offerings found there. The Guatemalan artisans present the mask on a brass and pinewood display stand, and it can also be displayed on the wall.

Ancient Maya craftspeople were masters at the delicate art of relief sculptures in stucco. Ruben and Gilda Perez utilize the material to create a beautiful mask with jade inlay. Faithfully reproducing an archaeological piece from Palenque, they depict the ruler Pacal, whose name means "Shield Jaguar." The king is buried beneath the Temple of the Inscriptions, and this jade mask is a part of the many offerings found there. The Guatemalan artisans present the mask on a brass and pinewood display stand, and it can also be displayed on the wall.

Hand-carved into a medallion of natural jade, the image of an owl decorates this pendant necklace from Guatemala. Adorning the neck on an adjustable strand of black cotton cord, the pendant is decorated on the back with the name Aq'ab'al, which is the Nahual name for "owl."