mayan gods

During the times when European explorers began arriving on the shores of ancient Latin America, Mayan cultures throughout the continent enjoyed a great prosperity of mercantile life. An ah ppolom, or "great merchant," would travel between cities in order to facilitate the transfer of goods. Accompanied by servants and warriors, an ah ppolom is depicted here in this cotton wall hanging designed by Rhina Rehmann. Featuring ivory-colored motifs against a body of Prussian blue, the patterns in the Salvadoran wall hanging are achieved using the batik method, where a wax resist is applied to the fabric before it is submerged in a vat of dye.

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.

Wearing only a belt, necklace, and bracelets, this Mayan goddess is realized with striking detail in cedar wood. Nicolas Chavez Sojuel explores Guatemala's Mayan roots, working with local artisans to hand-carve this sculpture. According to Sojuel, this sculpture reflects the story of the God of Maize's resurrection. According to the story, there exist nude goddesses in the Mayan underworld, Xibalbá, who tend to the god and dress him in preparation for his resurrection. One of these goddesses is portrayed in this sculpture.

Yum Kaax, the Maya god of maize, holds a living corn plant in this vibrant table runner. The golden grain is still a staple food in Guatemala. Mayra Leticia Hernandez shares her textile expertise and love of colors with this verdant cotton table runner. She works on a traditional backstrap loom.

Discover the ancient world of the Maya through dazzling and captivating scenes captured by Rhina Rehmann in batik wall hangings. This time, the Salvadoran artisan replicates the image of an ancient priest offering a jade figure to the sun, a composition discovered in the Mayan Sun temple in Palenque, Mexico. Boasting blue and white hues, the piece exudes a magnificent aura.