Face Fragment

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.

Provenance

David Bramhall, 1966, sold to James C. and Florence C. Gruener (?-1966); James C. [1903-1990] and Florence C. [1908-1982] Gruener, Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (1966-1990); The Cleveland Museum of Art (1990)

Face Fragment

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600–1000

Accession Number

1990.179

Medium

molded pottery

Dimensions

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

Classification

Sculpture

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener